Amongst the Medici
Encyclopedia
Amongst the Medici is a radio documentary
series by historian
Bettany Hughes
. The series aired in 3-parts on BBC Radio 4
between February-March 2006.
The series was billed as "a three part re-evaluation of one of the most creative and complicated partnerships in the western world" and examined the history of the Medici
family during the Italian Renaissance
, between 1397 (the founding of the Medici Bank
) and 1497 (the Bonfire of the Vanities
).
Radio documentary
A radio documentary or feature is a purely acoustic performance devoted to covering a particular topic in some depth, usually with a mixture of commentary and sound pictures. It is broadcast on radio or published on audio media, such as tape or CD...
series by historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
Bettany Hughes
Bettany Hughes
Bettany Hughes is an English academic historian, author and broadcaster.Hughes' father is the actor Peter Hughes and her brother is the cricketer and journalist Simon Hughes...
. The series aired in 3-parts on BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4
BBC Radio 4 is a British domestic radio station, operated and owned by the BBC, that broadcasts a wide variety of spoken-word programmes, including news, drama, comedy, science and history. It replaced the BBC Home Service in 1967. The station controller is currently Gwyneth Williams, and the...
between February-March 2006.
The series was billed as "a three part re-evaluation of one of the most creative and complicated partnerships in the western world" and examined the history of the Medici
Medici
The House of Medici or Famiglia de' Medici was a political dynasty, banking family and later royal house that first began to gather prominence under Cosimo de' Medici in the Republic of Florence during the late 14th century. The family originated in the Mugello region of the Tuscan countryside,...
family during the Italian Renaissance
Italian Renaissance
The Italian Renaissance began the opening phase of the Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the end of the 13th century to about 1600, marking the transition between Medieval and Early Modern Europe...
, between 1397 (the founding of the Medici Bank
Medici bank
The Medici Bank was a financial institution created by the Medici family in Italy during the 15th century. It was the largest and most respected bank in Europe during its prime. There are some estimates that the Medici family was, for a period of time, the wealthiest family in Europe...
) and 1497 (the Bonfire of the Vanities
Bonfire of the Vanities
Bonfire of the Vanities refers to the burning of objects that are deemed to be occasions of sin. The most infamous one took place on 7 February 1497, when supporters of the Dominican priest Girolamo Savonarola collected and publicly burned thousands of objects like cosmetics, art, and books in...
).
- Part 1 - Bankers to the Renaissance (audio)
- Part 2 - Renaissance, what renaissance? (audio)
- Part 3 - Smart women, gay men and false gods (audio)
External links
- Amongst the Medici - BBC Radio 4 (official)
- Critic's Choice - Financial Times review (2/22/06)