ch gave him control of the police. As an outstanding merchant, he restored order and succeeded in establishing a democratic government. (Canfield, 5) In the fourteenth century, the family's wealth and political influence increased until Salvestro de Medici led the common people in the revolt of the ciompi (small artisanate). Although Salvestro became the de facto dictator of the city, his brutal regime led to his downfall and he was banished in 1382. The family's fortune then fell until it was restored by Giovanni di Bicci de Medici (1360-1429), who made the Medici the wealthiest family in Italy, perhaps Europe. He was a descendant of Salvestro de Medici. The family's political influence again increased when Giovanni became gonfaliere in 1421 at the age of sixty-one.
             Giovanni, who had inherited a fortune, was a wise, discreet businessman; modest, and generous, he lacked worldly ambition. He spent vast sums on his city, commissioning Brunelleschi to rebuild the church of San Lorenzo with money donated by himself and seven other leading Florentine families. He was greatly admired for his modesty, his ability as a banker, his expenditures for the public benefit, and his encouragement of the arts. (Canfield, 6) Giovanni died in 1429. He was much admired by the people of Florence and left and immense fortune to his sons Cosimo and Lorenzo. (Canfield, 8)
             Cosimo Medici, Giovanni's son, is said to be the real founder of the family's fortune. He controlled the government in Florence in 1434 and for sixty years he ruled Florence but he had no official title. Later on in a political battle with another powerful family called the Albizzi family, Cosimo lost and was banished but since a lot of people su
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