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Empires - The Medici
Godfathers of the Renaissance
The amazing Empires documentary continues with this
current instalment focusing on the Medici family who would eventually
rise to power in Europe and ignite one of the most influential, cultural
and artistic revolutions of the era, the European Renaissance.
Collecting all four episodes from this current series,
the documentary
uses dramatisation and experts information to assist in informing the viewer of
this powerful and influential family from a small Italian village.
Interesting enough, this family spent three centuries in power who began
as humble merchants which eventually lead them to becoming "royalty".
The dramatisations are brilliant from the impressive acting skills of
those involved to the wonderful period costumes and cinematography which
nicely comes together.
The series focuses on key individuals within this
family and their enemies such as Machiavelli and Savonarola that even
though some called them dictators and power hungry merchants, they
inspired an entire continent through their influence. Some say that this
was the next stage of enlightenment for mankind with Lorenzo the
Magnificent.
Beautifully narrated, Empires - The Medici:
Godfathers of the Renaissance is a must have documentary for anyone
interested in this period of history or the documentary genre, very well
made and recommended.
Episode
Listing
Episode One ~ Birth of a Dynasty
After centuries of ignorance, one city at the heart of Europe is poised
on the threshold of an intellectual and artistic revolution. And one
family surpasses all others in defining and shaping it – the Medici.
Cosimo de’Medici and his sons oversee the first flowering of the
renaissance, from Brunelleschi’s Duomo to Donatello’s sensuous David.
But with Cosimo’s death comes uncertainty and the future of the family
rests on the shoulders of his young grandson, Lorenzo.
Episode Two ~ The Magnificent Medici
Lorenzo de’Medici oversees the full flowering of the Renaissance, the
greatest culture and artistic movement the world has ever seen.
Michelangelo, Botticelli, Leonardo de Vinci and others create some of
the greatest works of artistic genius the world has ever witnessed. But
a zealous young monk – Savonarola, whips up a violent fundamentalist
backlash. As the family are chased out of town, Botticelli hurls his own
masterpieces into the flames. How will the Medici, and the Renaissance,
recover?
Episode Three ~ The Medici Popes
Having been forced to relocate to Rome, the Medici turn their sights on
the Catholic Church. Giovanni is crowned the first Medici Pope, only to
encounter the greatest crisis to ever face Catholicism – the Protestant
Reformation. Standing against the monolithic power of the Church is a
single monk – Martin Luther. Luther unleashes wide disorder by
redefining man’s relationship with God and attempting to overthrow the
oppressive tyranny of the Catholic Church. Can the Medici control the
very revolution they themselves have inspired?
Episode Four ~ Power Vs Truth
Now the staunchest supporters of the Catholic Counter Reformation, the
Medici struggle to restore order to a world spinning out of control.
Scientific enlightenment collides with strict Catholic doctrine and the
Medici face a stark choice – to continue to patronise scientists like
Galileo or to retreat to established Catholic authority. Forced to
choose, the Medici betray the intellectual ideals that they have
fostered for generations. Nevertheless, the Medici left an extraordinary
legacy in their wake.
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