Pazzi Conspiracy

The Final Act

The final act in this drama was the reorganization of the government of Florence now that the external threats had been removed. Even the Turkish threat was gone, for the Sultan had died in spring 1481 and his troops left Otranto. Not surprisingly, the new government in Florence was even more firmly under the control of the Medici. Many recognized that it was a veiled despotism, especially those who fell outside the circle of Medici favor. Lorenzo himself was charming and dazzling and most in the city were justifiably proud, but even among the favored there was a recognition that the system was rigged. There was no real opporunity for individual accomplishment, for honor and glory, except under Medici approval. Those who went too far were crushed. There is no doubt that there was a shadow over Lorenzo after 1478, or that he was more ruthless, even vicious, in his control.

It was a classic situation of the strong leader tolerated because of his strengths yet disliked for his strengths. When Lorenzo died, in 1492, there was much resentment that had built up. And, as so often happens, the son was not the equal of his father. But that's another story.