The return of Cosimo de Medici! On 5 October, 1434, Cosimo arrived at his villa outside Florence and stopped for some food. The Signoria sent him a message begging him NOT to arrive that day, because they thought it would cause a riot. So he sneaks in at night and goes straight to visit the Pope. Rinaldo degli Albizzi, his sons and descendants were all banished from Florence, as were many families of the oligarchy. The Medici family rule supreme. But, like Augustus Caesar 1450 year earlier, Cosimo tries to appear like a normal citizen and keeps up the appearances of the Republic. He’s not it in for personal glory. He just wants political stability, safety for his family and, most of all – to make money.

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