Of course, the Renaissance did not happen overnight. Europeans did not wake up one morning and start a new era. Change came first to the city of Florence, in northern Italy. Why did the Renaissance begin in Florence?

The Glory of Florence

As you read in the last lesson, growth in trade, partly caused by the Crusades, benefited Italian cities. By 1400 Florence had become one of the richest cities in Europe. Find this city on the map on page 334. Traders from Florence journeyed to the towns of France and to the port cities of the Black Sea. They also traveled to Asia and Africa, returning with spices and silks. Florence was a busy craft-producing city. People worked in about 200 shops, turning out enormous amounts of woolen cloth.

Lorenzo the Magnificent

One of the wealthiest families in Florence was the Medici (MED ih chee) family. The Medicis gained great wealth through banking and trading. Although Florence had become a republic around 1300, by the 1400s the Medicis had gained control. The most famous member of the family was Lorenzo Medici. He came to power in 1469. Some considered him a tyrant--an all-powerful and often unjust ruler. One Florentine, however, said, "If Florence was to have a tyrant, she could never have a better or more delightful one."
Lorenzo Medici was a patron, or supporter, of the arts. He loved poetry and painting. Before long, scholars and artists flocked to Florence, where they were paid by Lorenzo to pursue their work. The city was soon bursting with art and learning, and its leader became known as "Lorenzo the Magnificent."