This is the coolest man you never heard of:
An Italian warlord and enlightened despot so beloved he was inducted into England’s highest rank of chivalry
A major figure of the Renaissance, he inspired Raphael, Machiavelli, and countless others
Here's his incredible story...🧵
An Italian warlord and enlightened despot so beloved he was inducted into England’s highest rank of chivalry
A major figure of the Renaissance, he inspired Raphael, Machiavelli, and countless others
Here's his incredible story...🧵
Federico da Montefeltro was born out of wedlock in 1422
Cursed with the reputation of a bastard, he worked to build a life for himself — at the age of 16, he got married and became a mercenary
It was the start of a glorious career…
Cursed with the reputation of a bastard, he worked to build a life for himself — at the age of 16, he got married and became a mercenary
It was the start of a glorious career…
Federico was a gifted orator and charismatic leader
In an age where mercenary troops switched loyalties to the highest bidder, Federico inspired the devotion of his men
This would serve him well when fortune soon came to call
In an age where mercenary troops switched loyalties to the highest bidder, Federico inspired the devotion of his men
This would serve him well when fortune soon came to call
When Federico was just 22, his legitimate half-brother was assassinated
With his home town of Urbino in chaos, Federico and his troops swept in to fill the power vacuum
He then began his life’s masterwork — a mix of military triumph and visionary enlightenment
With his home town of Urbino in chaos, Federico and his troops swept in to fill the power vacuum
He then began his life’s masterwork — a mix of military triumph and visionary enlightenment
Federico continued to work as a mercenary captain, but invested all the profits from war into his hometown
He purchased Greek and Latin manuscripts, and slowly transformed the city of Urbino into one of the main centers of the Renaissance
He purchased Greek and Latin manuscripts, and slowly transformed the city of Urbino into one of the main centers of the Renaissance
Raphael, one of history’s greatest painters, grew up in Urbino under Federico’s rule
Federico helped him develop as an artist, and develop he did — at the age of just 25, he began work on The School of Athens
Federico’s vision for his city was coming to life…
Federico helped him develop as an artist, and develop he did — at the age of just 25, he began work on The School of Athens
Federico’s vision for his city was coming to life…
But Federico soon suffered greatly when he lost his right eye in a jousting accident
Refusing to let his injury hinder his ability on the battlefield, he ordered his surgeon to remove the bridge of his nose, thus restoring his field of vision
His portrait captures this detail:
Refusing to let his injury hinder his ability on the battlefield, he ordered his surgeon to remove the bridge of his nose, thus restoring his field of vision
His portrait captures this detail:
Federico's example won him admiration across Europe
Machiavelli was inspired to write The Prince after observing his military, political, and intellectual cunning
King Edward IV named him a Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, England’s highest order of chivalry
Machiavelli was inspired to write The Prince after observing his military, political, and intellectual cunning
King Edward IV named him a Knight of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, England’s highest order of chivalry
An excellent ruler until the end, Federico was mourned by all upon his death
He was a man who — quite literally — fought for his people. He transformed his city by enriching the lives of his citizens with knowledge and beauty
To this day, he is known as the "Light of Italy"
He was a man who — quite literally — fought for his people. He transformed his city by enriching the lives of his citizens with knowledge and beauty
To this day, he is known as the "Light of Italy"
The full scope of Federico’s life, legacy, and adventures exceeds what can be covered in a thread
To learn more about his incredible story, join me & @westernexile tomorrow at 10am ET as we discuss all that he can teach you
Can't wait to see you there!
To learn more about his incredible story, join me & @westernexile tomorrow at 10am ET as we discuss all that he can teach you
Can't wait to see you there!
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