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Lorenzo dei Medici has long been regarded both as the supreme architect of Florentine power in the fifteenth century and as a princely patron of arts and letters. Professor Rubinstein, the distingu...ished historian of the Italian Renaissance, begins by discussing how the 'myth of Lorenzo' arose, in the works of Guiccardini and other sixteenth century historians. He then examines the nature of Lorenzo's rule and his achievements as a statesman, stressing the extent to which he built on the policies of his grandfather, Cosino. Far from being the ideal tyrant of posterity, Lorenzo used the Florentine constitution and traditional social structure as the basis of his power. Professor Rubinstein analyses the relationship between Lorenzo and the state agencies of policy, particularly those connected with foreign policy. Lorenzo's relations with foreign states can be studied in great detail in his correspondence, which is largely unpublished. Professor Rubinstein is now working on the definitive edition of his letters. In analysing the statecraft of Lorenzo, Professor Rubinstein illuminates the complex workings of the Florentine political system and raises a number of other important issues.
Lorenzo dei Medici has long been regarded both as the supreme architect of Florentine power in the fifteenth century and as a princely patron of arts and letters. Professor Rubinstein, the distingu...ished historian of the Italian Renaissance, begins by discussing how the 'myth of Lorenzo' arose, in the works of Guiccardini and other sixteenth century historians. He then examines the nature of Lorenzo's rule and his achievements as a statesman, stressing the extent to which he built on the policies of his grandfather, Cosino. Far from being the ideal tyrant of posterity, Lorenzo used the Florentine constitution and traditional social structure as the basis of his power. Professor Rubinstein analyses the relationship between Lorenzo and the state agencies of policy, particularly those connected with foreign policy. Lorenzo's relations with foreign states can be studied in great detail in his correspondence, which is largely unpublished. Professor Rubinstein is now working on the definitive edition of his letters. In analysing the statecraft of Lorenzo, Professor Rubinstein illuminates the complex workings of the Florentine political system and raises a number of other important issues.
| Module code and title: | A201, Renaissance and Reformation |
|---|---|
| Item code: | A201; 07 |
| Recording date: | 1971-10-22 |
| First transmission date: | 28-02-1972 |
| Published: | 1972 |
| Rights Statement: | Rights owned or controlled by The Open University |
| Restrictions on use: | This material can be used in accordance with The Open University conditions of use. A link to the conditions can be found at the bottom of all OUDA web pages. |
| Duration: | 00:17:28 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Mary Hoskins |
| Contributors: | Nicolai Rubinstein; Roy Spencer |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | 15th Century; Florentine |
| Master spool number: | TLN42FM198 |
| Production number: | TLN42FM198 |
| Available to public: | no |
