The medici family, also known as the house of medici, first attained wealth and political power in florence in the 13th century through its success in commerce and banking. beginning in 1434 with the rise to power of cosimo de' medici (or cosimo the elder), the family's support of the arts and humanities made florence into the cradle of the renaissance, a cultural flowering rivaled only by that of ancient greece. the medicis produced four popes (leo x, clement vii, pius iv and leon xi), and their genes have been mixed into many of europe's royal families. historians call the medici family "godfather's of the renaissance". using your ace writing strategy, explain the historical significance of the medici family and their connection to the rise of florence, italy.