The story of the Medici family of Florence, their ascent from simple merchants to power brokers sparking an economic and cultural revolution. Along the way, they also accrue a long list of powerful enemies.
Written by Sophie and last updated on jan 20, 2023.
PS: The following content contains spoilers!
PPS: I will admit that parts of this page was written with the help of AI - it makes my work so much easier to not start from a blank page!
While the Medici are in exile in Venice, the situation deteriorates day by day in Florence, with Albizzi imposing his rule over a city gravely depleted by the absence of the Medici.
The episode was rated 7.71 from 221 votes.
Lorenzo begins to show the first symptoms of a serious illness while his political enemies decide to attack him, questioning the solidity and provenance of Medici Bank's capital. Among these, Tommaso Peruzzi, once a supporter of the family, is now eager to bring to light a scandal that would condemn the Medici to exile. To cover up the crime and avoid losses, the Magnificent risks a new war and plans to kill Peruzzi.
The episode was rated 7.73 from 91 votes.
The Signoria now has a vacant chair, and Cosimo is asked to choose who should occupy it. Piero thinks that his moment has now come, but the banker Pazzi, too, has his eyes set on that seat.
The episode was rated 7.75 from 206 votes.
The death of the pope brings strategic challenges as Lorenzo negotiates with the Duke of Milan and welcomes his new bride, Clarice, to Florence.
The episode was rated 7.76 from 107 votes.
From prison, Cosimo asks Contessina to try bribing a member of the Signoria, to buy votes in his favor. Albizzi starts poisoning Cosimo's food through his prison guard. Contessina negotiates exile rather than the death penalty.
The episode was rated 7.78 from 211 votes.
Savonarola, who had taken Tommaso's confession, denounces his killing and openly accuses Lorenzo, who however continues to deny. Clarice begins to suspect the truth. To continue his strategy of control over the Holy See, the Magnificent makes a promise that triggers a family crisis.
The episode was rated 7.78 from 90 votes.
The papal army advances as important coalitions shift. Meanwhile, Lorenzo negotiates a crucial treaty, and Jacopo attempts a major power grab.
The episode was rated 7.78 from 102 votes.
The return of the Medici to Florence is an out-and-out triumph, with Albizzi in prison for his attempt to become the city's "tyrant".
The episode was rated 7.79 from 215 votes.
Arriving in Naples with Bernardi, Lorenzo finds it difficult to convince King Ferrante of Aragon to abandon the alliance with the Pope. While the Magnificent tries to win the king's trust, Florence remains under siege: the people and Clarice herself fear that Lorenzo has abandoned them.
The episode was rated 7.84 from 94 votes.
As forces threaten a fragile alliance, the Pazzis embark on a murderous plan to destroy the Medicis while Lorenzo seeks to make peace with Rome.
The episode was rated 7.84 from 108 votes.
Sixtus IV is dead. Lorenzo and Clarice travel to Rome to support the election of their candidate for the papal throne, but they have to deal with the plots of Riario. The Medici find an unexpected ally in Caterina Sforza, Riario's wife. Despite the family's efforts, the new Pope Cybo proves difficult to control. In Florence, Savonarola harangues against Lorenzo for his influence in the conclave.
The episode was rated 7.85 from 92 votes.
The entry into the field of the Kingdom of Naples alongside the papal troops is likely to mark the end of Florence. Among the Priors there are those who doubt Lorenzo, but the Magnificent, determined not to let Florence fall into the hands of his enemies, finds a stratagem to deprive the Priors of authority. Lorenzo decides to leave for Naples to try to break the encirclement and restore peace.
The episode was rated 7.85 from 99 votes.
Pazzi has managed to convince the Pope to remove the Medici as Church bankers, but Cosimo is disinclined to surrender what he has worked so hard to attain.
The episode was rated 8.09 from 214 votes.
Lorenzo allows Bernardi to convince him that the only solution not to lose everything is to kill Savonarola, whose following gets bigger and bigger. By now, the friar openly preaches the overthrow of the established order to found a new Jerusalem. Lorenzo's plan is ready and the assassins recruited ...
The episode was rated 8.16 from 93 votes.
The day of reckoning arrives as the circle of conspirators tightens around the Medicis during Mass, and rivals attempt to take control of Florence.
The episode was rated 8.28 from 105 votes.
