| |
| | Italy |
 | | Leaders and then rulers of probably the most illustrious city of the Renaissance, Florence, the Medici family rose from the ranks of merchants and bankers. |
 | | Eventually, they contributed three Popes, two Queens of France, and the line of Grand Dukes of Tuscany until 1737, all the while as classic patrons of art, architecture, literature, and philosophy. |
 | | When the family first came to power in Florence, it was not through any formal office, position, or status. |
| www.friesian.com /italia.htm (10172 words) |
|