The Medici family, referred to as the House of Medici, held significant influence and wealth in Florence, largely due to their banking endeavors, which enabled the support of art and science for nearly 200 years, fostering renowned figures in these fields like Michelangelo and Leonardo Da Vinci.
A major turning point in the Medici Family's ascent was the establishment of the Medici Bank in 1397. Though already affluent and somewhat influential, the bank's creation allowed them to expand their power beyond Florence, impacting all of Europe.
A second significant event arose when the
Medici Bank went bankrupt in 1494
, which led to a sharp decrease in the Medici Family’s dominance and sway in various European royal courts; however, they still retained some degree of influence in Italy, France, and the Catholic Church.
This status afforded them numerous advantageous roles for nearly another two centuries, producing four popes within the Catholic Church and two queens for France (specifically Catherine de' Medici and Marie de' Medici). Each of these occurrences could be seen ascrucial
for their revival of authority and prominence across Europe.
