Lorenzino de' Medici, also known as Lorenzaccio, was a significant figure in the Renaissance period, born in 1514 and died in 1548. He was a member of the powerful Medici family, which played a crucial role in the political, economic, and cultural life of Florence, Italy.
Lorenzino was born to Pierfrancesco de' Medici and Maria Soderini. His early life was marked by the influence of his uncle, Giovanni delle Bande Nere, a notable condottiero, and his cousin Cosimo I de' Medici, who would later become the Duke of Florence.
Lorenzino was known for his intellectual pursuits and was described as a man of letters, which was somewhat atypical for his time. However, his most infamous act was the assassination of his cousin, Alessandro de' Medici, Duke of Florence, in 1537. Alessandro, who was ruling as a tyrannical figure, was killed by Lorenzino in what was perceived by some as an act of liberation from tyranny, while others viewed it as a treacherous act against his own kin.
The assassination took place on the night of January 6, 1537. Lorenzino lured Alessandro into a trap under the pretense of a sexual encounter, then stabbed him to death. Following the murder, Lorenzino fled to Venice, where he initially sought refuge and protection from the consequences of his actions.
After the assassination, the Medici family, now under the leadership of Cosimo I, pursued Lorenzino relentlessly. He spent much of his life in exile, moving between various cities in Italy. Despite being a fugitive, he continued his literary pursuits. Lorenzino was eventually killed in 1548 in Venice by two assassins, believed to have been sent by Cosimo I, in what was likely an act of revenge for the murder of Alessandro.
Lorenzino's legacy is mixed. While some saw him as a liberator, others condemned him as a murderer. His actions had significant political repercussions, contributing to the consolidation of Cosimo I's power in Florence. His life and deeds have been dramatized in literature, most notably in Alfred de Musset's play "Lorenzaccio."