Abstract
This paper explains that, using a twist of a literary genre of the era--cloaking and imparting his beliefs based on current events of the time, "The Prince' by Niccolo Machiavelli is an illustration of Machiavelli's duplicity of hiding an alternative belief and motive beneath its rhetoric of monarchical rights, privileges and purposes. The author relates that, in "The Prince", Machiavelli details the life a ruling prince, who was purportedly Lorenzo d'Medici, should lead by integrating his knowledge of common society and human behavior. The paper reports that Machiavelli emphasizes certain character traits in a ruler, which must be served in order to gain an even greater advantage: A man must feed his ambition, match the abilities of previous men of greatness, and be ready to seize any opportunity just as Moses, Romulus, and Cyrus did.

From the Paper
"Machiavelli's supposed objective in "The Prince" is to illustrate how political principles can be implemented and manipulated to gain and maintain political power. He is not concerned about the suffering, death, or financial ruin his course of actions metes out on the social classes lower than the royal line. "The Prince" is a grand example of "the end justifies the means". Whatever means are necessary for a prince to rise and maintain political power must be accomplished. In the game of "power politics", there is no room for the faint of heart, justice for all, or lack of aggression. Power will be gained through the advantages of boldness, audacity, genocide if need be, and annihilation of opposing rulers and their familial lines."

Tags:ambition, game, d'medici, behavior, manipulation

Abstract
This paper discusses two studies of Michelangelo's Magnifici Tomb in the Medici Chapel towards complementary, as opposed to different, conclusions. The studies reviewed are Andrew Morrogh's "The Magnifici Tomb - a Key Project in Michelangelo's Architectural
Career" and Estelle Lingo's "The Evolution of Michelangelo's Magnifici Tomb - Program versus Process in the Iconography of the Medici Chapel".
The paper relates that both studies are authoritative and careful contributions to the study of the Medici Chapel, the tomb in question and the career of Michelangelo. The paper also asserts that their different vantage points on the Magnifici Tomb help along what should be a broad approach to any artifact or installation, investigating origins, features and salient details in relation to context, remembering that there shall forever be different opinions which can be powerful guides towards personal appreciation and further study.

Outline:
Introduction
Andrew Morrogh - The Magnifici Tomb as a Key Project.
Estelle Lingo - Program versus Process and Iconography
Discussion

From the Paper
"The errors made by Michelangelo included the level at which the viewer examined them, the focal point of three statues too low, a statue of the Madonna, on the other hand, requiring a higher viewing point. (p.594) As Morrogh concluded, imperfections and all, Michelangelo had been able to exercise considerable license in what he designed so tentatively and in its results, thanks to the nature of his patron. Michelangelo had mixed opinions concerning the tradition of classicism that would have satisfied many sculptors of his day, but his results were not just innovative but 'difficult' as Morrogh comments, still apt to draw mixed reviews from those examining the Magnifici Tomb in the present. From this article, the reader obtains much detail and most readers will enjoy the illustrations of very different drawings to which Morrogh refers, a familiar aspect of the Medici Chapel revealed to have been a much changing or even piecemeal affairs thanks to the patronage of Pope Clement who seems to have recognized Michelangelo's originality and given it free reign. One leaves this article with the impression of having enjoyed a 'solid' few pages of scholarship, the author plainly knowing far more on Italian Renaissance design and architecture of which this article indicates one quite small topic."

Tags:installation, origins, features, details, guide, history

Abstract
This paper examines how "Medici Money: Banking, Metaphysics, and Art in Fifteenth-Century Florence" by Tim Parks is an astonishing story that illustrates the rise and fall of the Medici family, the development of international banking, and one hundred years of Florentine history during the Renaissance. It also looks at how in "Medici Money", Parks clearly shows the parallels of fifteenth century banking and the desire for power and money to the financial and political problems of today.

From the Paper
"In Medici Money, Parks expertly focuses on the business dealings of the Medici family in the economic and political environment of the time while comparing their period with today. Founded in Florence in 1397, the Medici tale spans more than a century that includes the gain of wealth and power and the collapse of the largest and most prosperous bank at the time. As the rise of the bank begins, the Medici's place little importance on political gain or power, and only wish to further their business. But as time passes and their wealth grows, they soon understand what influence their money has on society. In order to continue being successful and maintain their monetary achievements they must become the most powerful family in Florence through the use of shady business practices and an almost mob-like appearance. "

Tags:wealth, society, power

Abstract
The paper relates that the Medici family did not only contribute materially to the development of art during the Renaissance, but was also responsible for the aesthetic selection of the works and artists that are now considered representative for that period. The paper focuses on the contributions of Lorenzo de Medici in particular. The paper clearly shows how the Medici family played a crucial part in the artistic advancements of the Renaissance.

From the Paper
"The Italian Renaissance was a period of extreme flourish for all the arts as well as for culture itself. It is often considered to be a period of increased awareness and illumination by comparison with the previous dark age, the Middle Ages. The period was marked by a renewed interest for ancient Roman and Greek models paired with a notable advancement in science and philosophy. The great names of the Italian Renaissance speak by themselves for the cultural rebirth that began in the fourteenth century in Italy. Among them there are painters Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci or Botticelli and writers like Petrarch or Machiavelli. Notably, the great scholars and artists of the Renaissance were accomplished creators in various fields, from literature to philosophy, sculpture or architecture."

Tags:artists, Lorenzo, Leonardo, Michelangelo, Botticelli, Donatello, Galileo

Abstract
This paper discusses the Medici family in Italy. It describes the Florentine Quattrocento century and discusses the influence that the Medici's had, particularly in the realm of civic humanism. It describes the focus of their rule and how they were accepted by the people. The paper then describes the changes in power of the Medici family over time.

From the Paper
"With such views it is clear why Cosimo gained political power and importance in Florence. If Cosimo's reign was fraught with incidents of largesse, he had enough power and wealth to justify it. He was a prominent man with political connections with powerful people like princes and popes. Cosimo was also the head of Medici bank and during the Quattrocento personal wealth could be easily used to justify power. Such a thing would have not been possible in Trecento. Medici family had gained people's support by lending money and patronage to relatively unknown families with little or no political connection. These families would then become dependent on Medicis and thus supported them. (Kent, 28)"

Tags:humanism, Cosimo, Florence

Abstract
This paper looks at the life of of Cosimo de' Medici, who was the progenitor of one of the main lines of the Medici family, which ruled over the independent city-state of Florence from 1434 to 1637. In particular, it looks at Cosimo?s work as an art patron to much of the culture of Florence at the time and, even more broadly, much of the early Renaissance church.

Outline
Introduction
Cosimo de Medici
Taking Advantage of the Moment
A Common Culture

From the Paper
"But it must also be remembered that while Cosimo de"Medici was not a democratic leader in the modern sense of the term, it is also important - as Kent makes clear repeatedly - that the distinction between public and private was narrower in Cosimo's Florence than it is today. Cosimo's private garden, for example, was transformed into a kind of public academy for painters as were the gardens of other de'Medici family members (Jacobs, 2002). The homes and garden of Cosimo deMedici existed in an almost seamless whole with the public commissions that he made."

Tags:patron, art, church, renaissance

Abstract
This paper focuses on the rule of the famous Medici family in Italy. The paper highlights the influential characters of the Medici?s clan and what benefits they brought to Florence. The paper also emphasizes how the Medici rule came to an end after three hundred years.

From the Paper
"During the 13th century, The Medici family was one of the most prosperous and wealthy families of Italy. It was a family with great amounts of fortune, power and passion. It restructured Europe and controlled politics, artists, scientists and even the religious Christian leaders for more than three hundred years. The rise of the Medici family to power thus present the most striking political development of the Florentine Quattrocento, a century with no shortage of dramatic conflicts and personalities. Despite fame, wealth and power, it was the increasing self-indulgence, sexual coquetry and the riches that plagued the Medici family and eventually led to their downfall."

Tags:florence, power, wealth

Abstract
This paper is primarily a biographical report of Michelangelo's almost 90-year-long life from his grim childhood to the early influence of the Medici family to his commission to sculpt the "David" and paint the Sistine Chapel. Also included are photos of his sculptures "Bacchus", "Pieta", "David", "Rondanini Pieta" and his paintings on The Sistine Chapel.

I.Introduction
II.Body
A.Michelangelo's Early Life
B.Bacchus and Pieta
C.David
D.The Sistine Chapel Ceiling
E.The Tomb of Julius II
F.The Medici Tombs
G.The Last Judgment
H.Michelangelo's Final Years
III.Conclusion

From the Paper
"One of the greatest artists of all time, a man whose name has become synonymous with the word "masterpiece", is Michelangelo Buonarroti. As an artist he was nearly unmatched; the creator of works of true beauty that express the full extent of the human condition. Yet, in a world where art flourished only with patronage, Michelangelo was caught between the conflicting powers and whims of the Medici family in Florence, and the Papacy in Rome. Unlike many artists of his time, his genius was recognized, but at a seemingly great cost to his personal life."

Tags:14th, artist, bacchus, ceiling, century, chapel, david, judgment, julius, last, medici, renaissance, sculpture, sistine, tomb, tombs, pieta

Abstract
The paper describes how, following the Viking invasions of Europe in the 9th and 10th centuries A.D., significant changes were brought about in the political and social organization of Western Europe. In essence, Europeans during this time supported various types of leadership, but only if an effective means of defense could be maintained and controlled, such as in northern Italy with its urban bishops. The paper examines how Italy rose hard against all other Western European countries to become the crowning glory of western art and literature during the Renaissance era.

From the Paper
"As the power of the Lombard courts diminished, the cities which they governed grew more and more independent and during the Hungarian and Saracen invasions, it was the cities of Italy under the leadership of their bishops that became the main centers of resistance. As a result, the Italian kings granted the urban bishops extensive powers and privileges, such as the right to construct walls and fortified towers and to collect tolls and public revenues in order to finance the building of these and other defensive structures. By the early 900's A.D., "the cities of Italy had been granted full exemption from the jurisdiction of the counts which in effect allowed the bishops to seize control of not only the defensive elements but also the revenues and courts of justice" (Wickham 156)."

Tags:philosophy, Lombard, royal, administration, aristocracy, De, Medici

Abstract
The purpose of this essay is to analyze the phenomenon of wealthy communities that hire soldiers to fight its wars, one that is not so confined to the past, as we'd like to believe. Modern day companies offering similar services like Executive Outcomes which guards important economic and diamond mining interests in South Africa or the lure of U.S. Armed Forces' bonus money and paid education primarily targeting recruits on the lower steps of the American economic ladder reminds us that materially all wealthy societies not just the mercantile Italian cities - will eventually seek to outsource and pay someone else to do the dirty business of killing.

From the Paper
""The priests and other citizens of Italy being unused to military service," laments Niccolo Machiavelli over the martial decline of his people in his famous treatise The Prince, "they started to hire outsiders as soldiers" (82). It was perhaps impossible for him and other Renaissance commentators to fully comprehend the social and economic reasons why the medieval Italians began to hire foreign mercenaries to fight."

Tags:ages, condottieri, crecy, europe, florence, guilds, hawkwood, italy, machiavelli, medici, mercenaries, merchants, middle, military, pisa, prince, renaissance, warfare