Online history course

The History of the Medici Family : MC11

With historian Samantha Morris

10-lesson course 5 hours 30 minutes Audio / Text

About this course

Discover the extraordinary rise and fall of the Medici family, from Florence's powerful bankers and Renaissance patrons to popes, royalty and the end of a dynasty.

Bankers, political masterminds, popes and patrons of the arts, the Medici family rose from relatively modest beginnings to become one of the most powerful dynasties in Renaissance Europe. Their influence helped shape Florence and left an extraordinary mark on art, culture and politics.

Join historian Samantha Morris as she explores the rise and fall of the Medici, from their banking empire and struggles for control of Florence to their connections with the papacy and European royal families.

Discover the ambition, rivalries, conspiracies and cultural achievements that defined this remarkable dynasty. Meet the people behind the legend and explore how the Medici family helped shape the Renaissance and changed European history.

10 focused lessons

Course content

  1. 01

    Lesson 1 - Introduction and Origins of the Medici

    Discover the origins of the Medici family and how merchants and bankers rose to become the rulers of Florence.

  2. 02

    Lesson 2 - Cosimo de' Medici, Father of the Nation

    Explore Cosimo de' Medici's rise to power, the challenges posed by rival families and his efforts to protect the Medici fortune and influence.

  3. 03

    Lesson 3 - Lorenzo the Magnificent

    Meet Lorenzo the Magnificent and discover how his political skill, patronage of the arts and ruthless leadership shaped Florence's golden age.

  4. 04

    Lesson 4 - The Pazzi Conspiracy

    Investigate the political rivalries, banking interests and violence surrounding the Pazzi Conspiracy and its consequences for Florence and the Medici family.

  5. 05

    Lesson 5 - The Medici - Patrons of the Arts

    Discover how Medici patronage helped transform Renaissance art and architecture, and explore the extraordinary artists and masterpieces associated with the family.

  6. 06

    Lesson 6 - The Medici and Savonarola

    Explore the rise of the Dominican preacher Girolamo Savonarola and the religious and political upheaval he brought to Florence.

  7. 07

    Lesson 7 - The Return of the Medici and the Medici Popes

    Follow the family's return to political influence, their connections with the papacy and the conflicts that culminated in the Sack of Rome.

  8. 08

    Lesson 8 - From Dukes to Grand Dukes

    Trace the Medici family's rise to ducal power in Florence and Tuscany, and examine the political developments that eventually threatened their rule.

  9. 09

    Lesson 9 - The Royal Medici

    Discover how the Medici extended their influence through royal marriages, including Catherine de' Medici's extraordinary rise to become Queen of France.

  10. 10

    Lesson 10 - The Death of a Dynasty

    Examine the death of Gian Gastone de' Medici in 1737, the end of the ruling dynasty and the remarkable artistic legacy the family left behind.

Everything you need

What is included

  • 330minutes of course material (5 hours 30 minutes)
  • 10lessons
  • Streaming audio
  • Downloadable audio
  • Downloadable transcripts
  • Optional quizzes
  • Further reading
  • End-of-course certificate

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Enrol in this course

Course price$50 USD

Approximately £37.50 GBP / €44.70 EUR / A$71.20 AUD. Converted prices are estimates; payment is charged in USD.

  • Lifetime course access
  • Study at your own pace
  • Start whenever you are ready
  • Available internationally

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Samantha Morris

Meet your historian

Samantha Morris

Samantha Morris is a historian and author specialising in the Italian Renaissance, particularly the Borgia and Medici families.

She studied archaeology at the University of Winchester, where her interest in Renaissance Italy began. Since graduating, she has developed a particular fascination with the Borgia family, researching their lives and challenging the myths and rumours that have surrounded them for centuries.

Samantha is the author of Cesare Borgia in a Nutshell, which examines the life of one of the Renaissance's most controversial figures, and Girolamo Savonarola, an introduction to the Florentine preacher whose career became closely intertwined with the fortunes of the Medici dynasty.

Her research explores the political intrigue, family rivalries, religious conflicts and extraordinary personalities of Renaissance Italy, bringing this fascinating period of history to life.

View historian profile

Learner perspectives

Course reviews

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The History of the Medici Family

Just great :)

Sarah Peters October 13, 2019

Before you begin

Frequently asked questions

Is there a guarantee?

Yes. Please see our Guarantees page for full details.

Do I need to complete the quizzes?

No. The quizzes are optional, but they're a useful and enjoyable way to test your knowledge and reinforce what you've learned.

How long does the course take?

The course contains 5 hours and 30 minutes of audio lectures across ten lessons. Individual lectures are approximately 20–45 minutes long. You can stream or download them and listen at your own pace, with lifetime access.

Do I need to buy any books or extra materials?

No. The audio lectures and downloadable transcripts provide everything you need. A further reading list is included if you'd like to explore the subject in greater depth.

When does the course start?

You can start at any time after enrolling. The course is entirely online, with no fixed start date or deadlines.