Teacher's Guide for CALLIOPE: Medici

Teacher guide prepared by: Gloria W. Lannom, a regular contributer to CALLIOPE^®.
The Family Tree
Many of us know something about the history of our relatives and someone in the family usually knows the names as far back as great grandfather and great grandmother. The Medici family can trace its roots back to the late 12^th century. After the students have looked at the article titled "The Medici Family Tree," explain how to read the diagrams on pages 2 and 3, with Cosimo de' Medici (Pater Patriae) as the family member who really began the Medici dynasty's climb to fame, wealth, and power. Ask the students to ask at home about their family history and the next day draw their own family trees.

About the Guilds of Florence
After the students have read the first three paragraphs of "The Rise of the Prince," page 4, ask them to state the main rules and the main benefits of membership in the guilds. Then ask them if the guilds remind them of any organizations we have in America today. Are unions also organized according to skilled trades and professions such as lawyers, doctors, and bankers? Give some examples. Do any of the students have relatives who belong to unions? Ask each students to design and draw a coat of arms that shows the occupation of a member of his or her family.

Patronage
Have the students review the article on page 27 titled "Power and Patronage" and ask them if they understand the meaning of patronage (the support, encouragement, and assistance given by a patron; see the definition on page 28). Ask the students to name three important patrons mentioned in the article and to find the names of seven artists patronized by the Medicis. Ask the students whether there are patrons of art and architecture today. Pointing out to the students that artists and craftsmen of today must have patrons or supporters in order to survive and continue to work, ask them if they are patrons (movies, concerts, magazines, Nike or other sports shoes, etc.).

The Palazzo
What are some reasons that the Medicis and other wealthy Florentines built huge and grand palazzos to live in? The answer is in the article on page 24. How do some people display their wealth today?

Florence's Golden Age: Pope Leo X
Ask the students to read the article that begins on page 30. In addition to his religious duties, Pope Leo X was active in many other areas of life. What was he able to do for his relatives and friends? Was he, too, a patron of the arts? Name two major artists who benefited from his patronage.

The Medici Archive
Ask the students to read the article on page 46 and describe what an archive is (a place where public and historic records are kept). Who began the practice of maintaining careful records that are now kept in the Archive? What exactly is preserved in The Medici Archive? Do we have an archive in the United States and, if so, where is it located? Name at least one historic document that is kept there.

Filling in the Blanks

1. The river that divides Florence is the [Arno].
2. Cosimo is to Piero the Gouty as Lorenzo is to [Pierfrancesco].
3. The main Medici family business was [banking].
4. The gold coin first issued in Florence in 1252 is the [florin].
5. Three of the most important women in Lorenzo de' Medici's life were his mother [Lucrezia Tornabuoni], his wife [Clarice Orsini], and his sister [Nannina de' Medici].
6. The name of Machiavelli's famous book is [The Prince].
7. The flag showing a coat of arms is called a [gonfalon] and the person who carried it was the [gonfaliere].
8. In 1513, Giovanni de' Medici became [Pope Leo X].
9. Catherine de' Medici was Lorenzo the Magnificent's [great-granddaughter].
10. Catherine de' Medici married a man who became [Henry II of France].

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Updated: 3/21/10 01:10 pm
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