| Revision as of 03:13, 7 January 2002 editDavid Parker (talk | contribs)970 edits History expanded← Previous edit | Revision as of 03:29, 7 January 2002 edit undoDavid Parker (talk | contribs)970 editsmNo edit summaryNext edit → | ||
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| The history of Florence began with the establishment of a settlement for ] ex-soldiers. Reviving from the 10th century and governed from 1115 by an autonomous commune, the city was plunged into internal strife by the 13th-century struggle between the Ghibellines, supporters of the German emperor, and the pro-Papal Guelphs, who after their victory split in turn into feuding "white" and "black" factions. | The history of Florence began with the establishment of a settlement for ] ex-soldiers. Reviving from the 10th century and governed from 1115 by an autonomous commune, the city was plunged into internal strife by the 13th-century struggle between the Ghibellines, supporters of the ] emperor, and the pro-] Guelphs, who after their victory split in turn into feuding "white" and "black" factions. | ||
| Political conflict did not, however, prevent the city's rise to become one of the most powerful and prosperous in Europe, assisted by her own strong gold currency, the florin (introduced in 1252), the eclipse of her formerly powerful rival Pisa (defeated by Genoa in 1284 and subjugated by Florence in 1406), and |
Political conflict did not, however, prevent the city's rise to become one of the most powerful and prosperous in Europe, assisted by her own strong gold currency, the florin (introduced in 1252), the eclipse of her formerly powerful rival Pisa (defeated by Genoa in 1284 and subjugated by Florence in 1406), and the exercise of power by the mercantile elite following an anti-aristocratic constitution (1293). | ||
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| The first period of Medici rule ended with the restoration of republican government, influenced until 1498 by the teachings of the radical Dominican prior ], whose disdain for worldliness foreshadowed many of the wider religious controversies of the following centuries. |
The first period of Medici rule ended with the restoration of republican government, influenced until his execution (1498) by the teachings of the radical Dominican prior ], whose disdain for worldliness foreshadowed many of the wider religious controversies of the following centuries. A second leader of unusual insight was ], whose prescriptions for Italy's regeneration under strong leadership have often been seen as a legitimisation of political malpractice. | ||
| Restored twice with the support of both Emperor and Pope, the Medici in 1537 became hereditary dukes of Florence, and in 1569 grand dukes of Tuscany, reigning for two centuries. The extinction of the Medici line and the accession in 1737 of Francis Stephen, duke of Lorraine, led to Tuscany's inclusion in the territories of the |
Restored twice with the support of both Emperor and Pope, the Medici in 1537 became hereditary dukes of Florence, and in 1569 grand dukes of Tuscany, reigning for two centuries. The extinction of the Medici line and the accession in 1737 of Francis Stephen, duke of Lorraine and husband of Maria Theresa of Austria, led to Tuscany's inclusion in the territories of the ]n crown. | ||
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| The city's principal football team is ]. | The city's principal football team is ]. | ||
Revision as of 03:29, 7 January 2002
Florence is a city of western Italy on the Arno river, with around 400,000 inhabitants (plus a suburban population in excess of 200,000) who know it as Firenze. A centre of medieval European trade and finance, the city is sometimes considered the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. The capital of the region of Tuscany and briefly (1865-1871) of the kingdom of Italy, Florence was long ruled (1434-1494, 1512-1527 and and 1530-1737) by the Medici family.
The history of Florence began with the establishment of a settlement for Roman ex-soldiers. Reviving from the 10th century and governed from 1115 by an autonomous commune, the city was plunged into internal strife by the 13th-century struggle between the Ghibellines, supporters of the German emperor, and the pro-Papal Guelphs, who after their victory split in turn into feuding "white" and "black" factions.
Political conflict did not, however, prevent the city's rise to become one of the most powerful and prosperous in Europe, assisted by her own strong gold currency, the florin (introduced in 1252), the eclipse of her formerly powerful rival Pisa (defeated by Genoa in 1284 and subjugated by Florence in 1406), and the exercise of power by the mercantile elite following an anti-aristocratic constitution (1293).
Of a population estimated at 80,000 before the Black Death of 1348, 25,000 are said to have been supported by the city's woollen industry: in 1345 Florence was the scene of an attempted strike by wool combers (ciompi), who in 1378 rose up in a brief revolt against oligarchic rule. After their suppression, the city came under the sway (1382-1434) of the Albizzi family, bitter rivals but also precursors of the more powerful Medici.
The first period of Medici rule ended with the restoration of republican government, influenced until his execution (1498) by the teachings of the radical Dominican prior Girolamo Savonarola, whose disdain for worldliness foreshadowed many of the wider religious controversies of the following centuries. A second leader of unusual insight was Niccolo Machiavelli, whose prescriptions for Italy's regeneration under strong leadership have often been seen as a legitimisation of political malpractice.
Restored twice with the support of both Emperor and Pope, the Medici in 1537 became hereditary dukes of Florence, and in 1569 grand dukes of Tuscany, reigning for two centuries. The extinction of the Medici line and the accession in 1737 of Francis Stephen, duke of Lorraine and husband of Maria Theresa of Austria, led to Tuscany's inclusion in the territories of the Austrian crown.
Austrian rule was to end in defeat at the hands of France and the kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont in 1859, and Tuscany became a province of the united kingdom of Italy in 1861, replacing Turin as the capital in 1865 but giving way in turn to Rome six years later.
Florence and the Renaissance
The surge in artistic, literary and scientific investigation that occured in Florence in the 14th-16th centuries was precipitated by Florentines' preoccupation with money and with the display of wealth and leisure. Added to this, the crises of the Catholic church (especially the controversy over the French Avignon Papacy and the Great Schism) along with the dreadfully demoralizing effects of the Black Death undermined Medieval in favour of those of classical antiquity. Florence would profit both literaly and culturally from this change in social consciousness.
A Tour of Florence
At the heart of the city is the Fountain of Neptune, which is a masterpiece of marble sculpture at the terminous of a still functioning Roman aqueduct.The Arno River, which cuts through the old part of the city, is as much a character in Florentine history as many of the men who lived there. Historically, the locals have had a love hate relationship with the Arno -- which alternated from nurishing the city with commerce, and destroying it by flood. Many of the bridges across the Arno were built by the Romans. One of the bridges in particular, however, stands out as being unique -- The Ponte Vecchio, whose most striking feature is the multitude of shops built on it. First constructed by the Etruscans in ancient times, this bridge is the only one in the city to have survived World War II intact. The most famous palace in the city is San Lorenzo, which has become a monument to the Medici family who ruled Florence during the 15th century. This palace contains many priceless works of art created by such men as Donatello and Michelangelo. However, the crowning jewl of Florence is the domed cathedral of the city, known as The Duomo (the magnificent dome was built by Filippo Brunelleschi).
Notable people from the city
Lorenzo de Medici, Michelangelo,, Girolamo Savonarola, Niccolo Machiavelli
Contemporary Florence
The city's principal football team is Fiorentina.