Giovanni de' Medici il Popolano

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Giovanni de' Medici, known as il Popolano (October 21, 1467-September 14, 1498) was an Italian nobleman of the Medici House of Florence. He was the son of Pierfrancesco di Lorenzo de' Medici, and therefore member of a secondary branch of the family.

[edit] Biography

Giovanni was born in Florence. After his father's death (1476), together with his elder brother Lorenzo (il Popolano) went under the tutorage of their cousins Giuliano and Lorenzo (il Magnifico), and were educated by humanists such as Marsilio Ficino and Agnolo Poliziano. They grew a passion for classical studies and books, and later created a large library of manuscripts and codexes.

Later their relationship with Lorenzo il Magnifico deteriorated, mostly for economical reasons (Lorenzo had kept for himself the Popolanos' heritage, instead of simply administrating it). After the Magnifico's death, they were among the oppositors of Lorenzo's successor, Piero (il Fatuo), who exiled them in April 1494.

In the following November Lorenzo and Giovanni returned to Florence in the wake of Charles VIII of France's invasion of Italy, as Piero had been ousted by a Republic revolution in the city. Their support to Girolamo Savonarola gained them the Popolano ("Popular") nickname.

In 1497 Giovanni married Caterina Sforza, lady of Forlì and Imola. They had a son, baptized Ludovico. However, after Giovanni's death soon afterwards, Caterina re-christened the baby Giovanni, the name by which he was made famous condottiero as Giovanni dalle Bande Nere.