The following excerpt concerns the end of the Florentine Republic as the Medici reassert their authority over the state.

Many factors kept her [Florence] in that state of felicity which was the consequence of various causes. But it was most commonly agreed that, among these, no small praise should be attributed to the industry and skill of Lorenzo de’Medici, so eminent amongst the ordinary rank of citizens in the city of Florence that the affairs of that republic were governed according to his counsels. Indeed, the power of the Florentine Republic resulted more from its advantageous location, the abilities of its citizens and the availability of its money than from the extent of its domain. And having recently become related by marriage to the Roman Pontiff, Innocent VIII [1484-92], who was thus induced to lend no little faith in his advice, Lorenzo’s name was held in great esteem all over Italy, and his authority influential in deliberations on joint affairs. [Lorenzo’s daughter married the illegitimate son of the pope.] Realize that it would be most perilous to the Florentine Republic and to himself if any of the major powers should extend their area of dominion, he carefully saw to it that the Italian situation should be maintained in a state of balance, not leaning more toward one side than the other….

Lodovico Sforza, despite the fact that he was restless and ambitious, could not help but incline toward the same policy, since the danger of the Venetian Senate hung over those who ruled Milan as well as others, and because it was easier for him to maintain his usurped authority in the tranquility of peace rather than in the perturbations of war….Therefore, since the same desire for peace existed among Ferdinand [of Aragon], Lodovico and Lorenzo, in part for the same reasons and in part for different reasons, it was easy to maintain an alliance in defense of their states. The alliance had been adhered to in the year 1480 by practically all the minor Italian powers and renewed for twenty-five years. The principle aim of the pact was to prevent the Venetians from becoming any more powerful since they were undoubtedly stronger than any of the allies alone, but much weaker than all of them together. The Venetians continued to follow their own policies apart from common counsels, and while waiting for the growth of disunion and conflicts among the others, remained on the alert, prepared to take advantage of every mishap that might open the way for them toward ruling all of Italy.

This alliance easily curbed the cupidity of the Venetian Senate, but it did not unite the allies in sincere and faithful friendship, insofar as, full of emulation and jealousy among themselves, they did not cease to observe assiduously what the others were doing, each of them reciprocally aborting all the plans whereby any of the others might become more powerful or renowned. This did not result in rendering the peace less stable; on the contrary, it aroused greater vigilance in all of them carefully to stamp out any sparks which might be the cause of a new conflagration.

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[The sack of Florentine-held Prato in 1512]  The Spaniards, amazed that military men as well as humble inexpert civilians should show such cowardice and so little skill, broke into the wall without any opposition for the most part, and began to race through the town, where there was no longer any resistance, but only cries, flight, violence, sack, blood and killing, the terrified Florentine foot-soldiers casting away their weapons and surrendering to the victors. And nothing would have been spared the avarice, lust and cruelty of the invaders had not the Cardinal de’Medici placed guards at the main church and saved the honor of the women, all of whom had taken refuge there. More than two thousand men died, not fighting (for not one fought), but fleeing or crying for mercy; all the others together with the Florentine representatives were taken prisoner. Once Prato was lost, the Pistoiese agreed to provide the Viceroy with provisions, and received from him a promise that they would not be harmed….But as soon as the Florentines heard about the defeat of Prato, there was great perturbation in the minds of men. The Gonfaloniere [elected mayor of the Florentine Republic], regretting his vain counsels, terrified and having almost completely lost his reputation and prestige, ruled rather than ruling, and irresolute, allowed himself to be led by the will of others….Others who were looking forward to a change in government waxed bold and publicly laid blame on the present state of affairs. But most of the citizens, unaccustomed to arms and having the miserable example of Prato before their eyes, although they warmly preferred a popular form of government, were exposed because of their fear, as easy prey of anyone who wished to oppress them.

Because of this, Paolo Vettori and Antonio Francesco degli Albizi, young noblemen, seditious and eager for innovations, became more audacious. Many months earlier these two had already secretly conspired with several others in favor of the Medici, and had secretly met and spoken with Giulio de’Medici in a villa within Florentine territory near Siena, for the purpose of working out a means to restore this family to power. These young men now resolved to get the Gonfaloniere out of the municipal palace by force.