The document discusses the Medici family of Florence, Italy. It describes how the Medici family originated as part of the patrician class in the 13th century and began accumulating great wealth and political influence through banking. By the 14th century, the Medici family had become possibly the richest and most powerful family in Italy due to their growing wealth and Savonarola de Medici leading a revolt that made him the defacto dictator of Florence. As rulers of Florence during the Renaissance, the Medici spent their wealth transforming the city into a cultural center through patronage of art and architecture.