tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5103288818005519281.post3665415562912633918..comments2024-02-25T23:39:44.980+00:00Comments on IDLE SPECULATIONS: Alessandro de’ MediciAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09216619732353177072noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5103288818005519281.post-67660079774028631022010-04-18T11:27:14.974+00:002010-04-18T11:27:14.974+00:00The Medici had a tradition of bringing their illeg...The Medici had a tradition of bringing their illegitimate offspring into their legitimate family. Lorenzo il Magnifico grew up with an illegitimate brother. If Alessandro was indeed the illegitimate son of Giulio de' Medici, he would have been the son of the illegitimate son of Giuliano de' Medici - twice illegitimate in fact. And that would also account for that nose: both Giuliano and Giulio had razor sharp beaks. Anyway, 'moro' in medieval usage could refer to Arab or Berber Africans as much as to black Africans.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5103288818005519281.post-74969811788127850302009-10-24T20:34:35.081+00:002009-10-24T20:34:35.081+00:00Despite the anonymous contribution, I included the...Despite the anonymous contribution, I included the above comment as it does make a number of important points.<br /><br />Alessandro de' Medici is a fascinating historical figure.<br /><br />Slavery existed in Europe before North American slavery. Alessandro`s mother was a liberated slave.<br /><br />His racial origins did not affect his position. He ascended to power and ruled notwithstanding his racial origin.<br /><br />He did not lose power due to his racial origins.<br /><br />He lost power by assasination because:<br /><br />1. He was a despot. His rule was not beneficent. He seemed to relish being a despot as can be seen from the Vasari portrait. Previous Medici rulers had never been as blunt in their outward signs. They always operated behind the Republican facade of government<br />2. Florence always had a strong Republican tradition. The de`Medicis in history often lost their hold on Florence. He was not the first in the family to lose his life through violent means<br />3. His main prop to power was his father, the Pope. In those days the Pope was an important temporal ruler especialy on the peninsula of Italy. Once he died the major support for his power was lost<br />4. The Medici family was not united. It was a putsch by one part of the family against another.With the death of Alessandro, the senior branch of the family died out. It was replaced by a cadet branch. Cosimo, his successor, was one of the greatest rulers. In stature, he was like Lorenzo the Magnificent. There can be no comparison between Cosimo and Alessandro.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09216619732353177072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5103288818005519281.post-53457736675578129072009-10-23T18:30:22.849+00:002009-10-23T18:30:22.849+00:00This summation of this story is very interesting. ...This summation of this story is very interesting. The writer doesn't hesitate to install his own personal feelings into the article. Much like American History.<br /><br />There are some issues I must address, however. In the Duke's portraits, it is not shown that he has a wide nose. In fact, his nose is very European, not wide but elongated. His skin tone is common place for mediterraneans of the time. His hair was curly, but not that different from many Greeks, and his mouth was pouty, not thick. His suit of armour showed pride in his coat of arms, that many statesmen wore during that era. Ostentacious is when you are dressed in gold and diamonds from head to toe, as many monarchs did to show status. (much of which were pillaged from the dark continent). He did none of that in any of his portraits. In fact, his clothing was very understated.<br /><br />As for his power - well, every royal showed off his power - it was their right and privilege. He was liked and disliked, as many monarchs were and still are. There were many cruel rulers (Henry VII) to name one (and he wasn't of royal blood either). I'm sure, at that time, being a black monarch in a mostly white environment created much animosity. So, what else is new?<br /><br />I give much credit to his father - whoever he was, because he was obviously proud of his son and the mother, because he saw to it that he took his rightful place in the heirarchy, and gave her recognition also. That is unheard of with children born out of wedlock, and mixed at that. <br /><br />The fact is that he was one many mixed royals that existed, and the fact that blacks lived throughout Europe before North American slavery (many in high positions and status). This is not told in the American History books, but it's time!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com