The Tree of EuropeHistorical and genealogical atlas
ESEN
The Tree of Europe · Person

Lorenzo II de’ Medici

A nephew of Pope Leo X, he governed Florence and was appointed Duke of Urbino in 1516. Machiavelli dedicated The Prince to him; he was the father of Catherine de’ Medici.

1492 – 1519Duke / LordMedici
Explore this family · Spanish AtlasBack to people

This complete profile is available in English. Bibliographic titles retain their original language. Links marked ES open the Spanish edition.

Historical profile

Key details

Birth: 12 September 1492 Documented

Death: 4 May 1519 Documented

Role: Duke / Lord

Dynasty: Medici

Territories: Florence (ES) · Urbino (ES)

Recorded governments and reigns
Ruler · Florence · Government Pending review1516–1519Effective rule
Duke · Urbino · Duchy Pending review1516–1519Effective rule
Family network

Recorded relationships

Parents
Partners
Children
Crowns and unions

Their titles over time

Follow the changing territories and offices of Lorenzo II de’ Medici. Each title retains its own status.

Governments in 1516

  • FlorenceRuler
    View titles and jurisdictions
  • UrbinoDuke
    View titles and jurisdictions

Annual dates: overlap within one year does not prove that two offices were held on the same day. Regencies and co-rulerships retain their labels.

Documentation

Sources for this profile

Biographical and contextual references in their original language. Sources and methodology.

Evidence for this profile

7 recorded claims · 3 without a claim-specific source. Context references do not by themselves verify every fact.

Dates (2/2 with a precise source)
Family and relationships (2/3 with a precise source)
Governments (0/2 with a precise source)
  • GovernmentPending review

    Ruler · Florence · 1516–1519

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
  • GovernmentPending review

    Duke · Urbino · 1516–1519

    A precise source has not yet been added.
    No individual review recorded ·
Biographical and contextual references (3)
Editorial history
  • 2026-10-12 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-08 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-04 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-10-03 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.
  • 2026-09-30 · The duchy is limited to Dijon and Autun; each other fief now enters the map only under its dated ruler. John III of Namur and the Nevers/Rethel branch were added. The previous shape combined later counties and unrelated lands as if all belonged to the duchy from 1363.
  • 2026-09-28 · Claim registry added; existing historical data kept. Specific sourcing remains to be reviewed.

Related stories

Follow this person through history

Story · Spanish original

Machiavelli’s favourites

Models, counterexamples and lessons in power in The Prince

Start reading
Keep exploring

More paths from Lorenzo II de’ Medici