Story Highlights
- Historical event:
- 4 May 1519
- Lorenzo de 'Medici, son of the Piero the Unfortunate, died at the age of 26. His relatives, also members of the Medici family, became popes.
On this day in 1519, Lorenzo II de ‘Medici, Duke of Urbino and ruler of Florence, died.
Niccolò Machiavelli`s “The Prince” (Italian: Il Principe) was dedicated to him. Lorenzo de ‘Medici originated from the extremely wealthy and influential Medici family, which had ruled Florence for a long time, and later Tuscany.
Lorenzo’s uncle was Pope Leo X. During his life, Martin Luther began the Reformation.
Pope Leo X declared his nephew Lorenzo the Duke of Urbino (the duchy in central Italy, owned by the powerful Della Rovere family).
It is interesting to note that Lorenzo’s daughter Catherine became Queen of France – the famous Catherine de ‘Medici, who gave birth to the three French kings, and to Queen Margot.
Queen Catherine de ‘Medici had a tremendous influence over France when her sons were still children.
Lorenzo II de ‘Medici died at the age of 26, on this day in 1519. At that time, his uncle Leo X was still pope. Later, Lorenzo`s two cousins, Clement VII and Leon XI, also became popes.
