Watch Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance

Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance is a documentary series produced by PBS, released in 2004. The show portrays the significant role of the Medici family in the great Italian Renaissance that took place in Florence during the 15th century. This documentary series is divided into four episodes with each one depicting a particular period in the history of the Medici dynasty.

The series features a fascinating blend of drama, commentary, and archival footage, which bring to life the complex web of treachery, violence, and intrigue that dominated the era of the Medici family. Massimo Marinoni is the narrator of the series and provides an unbiased and informative voice-over that helps viewers to understand the complex history of the Medici family.

One of the most striking aspects of the series is its depiction of the family's role in the political and financial upheaval of their time. The Medici's provided funding and support to the greatest artists, architects, and writers of the time, including Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and Botticelli, but also played an instrumental role in the rise of the modern economy. The family's impact on international finance, banking, and trade provided the foundation for the world we live in today.

The dramas in the series are presented in a hyper-realistic style, with rich costumes, dramatic re-enactments of important Medieval and Renaissance events, and authentic settings, all of which help the viewer to better understand the Medici's life and struggles. The inclusion of a range of scholarly experts and authors, including Ross King, adds depth and richness to the series, bringing home the complex and interconnected nature of the Renaissance, which still influences the modern world today.

The first episode of the series showcases the family's rise to power in Florence, and its control over the banking industry. The plot thickens as the foundations of the Medicis' success are shaken by populist uprisings and complex power struggles with long-time feudal rivals, such as the Pazzi family.

The second episode delves deeper into the darker elements of the Medici's rule, showcasing the family's ruthlessness and cruelty towards potential threats. The third episode focuses primarily on the family's artistic and cultural contributions to the great Renaissance, featuring like Michelangelo's David, Lorenza da Medici's kitchen, the Medici Palace, and the frescoes of the Sistine Chapel.

The final episode presents the final years of the Medici dynasty, showing the steady decline of the Medici financial empire under the extreme pressures of the era. The rise of Christianity, combined with the Albrecht Durer's revolution in printing, which flooded the market with cheap new books in Italian and Latin, weakened the family's hold over the financial world.

Overall, Medici: Godfathers of the Renaissance provides a fascinating and detailed look at the Medici family's unique contribution to the great Italian Renaissance, which impacted the world's art and culture and the international financial system. The series is a gripping account that successfully blends historical storyline with dramatization, gaining the viewer's attention with an entertaining depiction of a complex and remarkable time in Italian history. Those interested in the history of the Medici dynasty, their power, and their influence on the world's artistic and economic realms will find this documentary series particularly interesting.