What is the story of the Medici family?

Find out more about the history of The Medici Family, including videos, interesting articles, pictures, historical features and more. Get all the facts on HISTORY.com. read more

The Medici story began around the 12th century, when family members from the Tuscan village of Cafaggiolo emigrated to Florence. Through banking and commerce, the Medicis rose to become one of the most important houses in Florence. read more

The Medici family, also known as the House of Medici, was the Italian family that ruled Florence, and later Tuscany, during most of the period from 1434 to 1737, except for two brief intervals (from 1494 to 1512, and from 1527 to 1530). read more

Upon the death of Lorenzo, Duke of Urbino, the acknowledged head of the Medici family was Cardinal Giulio, the illegitimate son of Giuliano, the brother of Lorenzo the Magnificent who had been killed in the Pazzi Conspiracy, who had been brought up with his cousins by Lorenzo and his wife. read more