Italian History: Biographies

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. World Encyclopedia Further reading

Cosimo I de' Medici

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | Copyright

Cosimo I de' Medici 1519–74, duke of Florence (1537–69), grand duke of Tuscany (1569–74); son of Giovanni de' Medici (Giovanni delle Bande Nere). In 1537, Lorenzino de' Medici murdered Cosimo's predecessor, Alessandro de' Medici, and fled from Florence, leaving the succession to Cosimo. Cosimo, despite promises to the contrary, assumed absolute authority as soon as he was installed. A group of exiles who tried to restore the republic were defeated and were either imprisoned or beheaded. In 1539, Cosimo married a Spanish noblewoman, Eleonora de Toledo, whose enormous dowry replenished his empty coffers. Under Cosimo's able, though ruthless, rule Florence reached its highest political importance and material prosperity and almost doubled its territories—notably by the acquisition (1555) of the republic of Siena . In 1569, Pope Pius V bestowed the title grand duke of Tuscany on Cosimo. Cosimo centralized his state. His son, Francesco de' Medici, succeeded him.

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Medici, Cosimo I de'

World Encyclopedia | 2005 | Copyright

Medici, Cosimo I de' ( the Great) (1519–74) Duke of Florence (1537–74), Grand Duke of Tuscany (1569–74). Under Cosimo's authoritarian rule, Florence flourished and its territory swelled with the acquisition of Siena. He was given the title of Grand Duke by the Pope.

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"Medici, Cosimo I de'." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 26 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"Medici, Cosimo I de'." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (May 26, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-MediciCosimoIde.html

"Medici, Cosimo I de'." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved May 26, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-MediciCosimoIde.html

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

	The Cultural Politics of Duke Cosimo I de' Medici.(Book Review) Magazine article from: Canadian Journal of History; 4/1/2003
	Art and humanity in Medici Florence; Cosimo de Medici and the Florentine... Newspaper article from: The Birmingham Post (England); 12/16/2000
	Medici Women: Portraits of Power, Love, and Betrayal from the Court of Duke... Magazine article from: Canadian Journal of History; 3/22/2007