PictureGiovanni at age 13
Giovanni Sforza

(1420-1508)

Giovanni Sforza, age 88, died in Florence on October 3rd, 1508. He was assassinated on the side of the Arno River, by Lorenzo Paolini. Giovanni lived a very long life, and was very popular until about 5 years before his death.

Giovanni was born January 13th, 1420. He was born in the beautiful city of Florence to his mother and father: Giorgio and Francesca Sforza. His father was a textile merchant and his mother helped keep their modest home and take care of the children; Giovanni, Donatello, and Maria. Giovanni had always been very bright, and excelled under his mother’s teachings. Giovanni had finished reading the illiad at age 4 and had his own share in his family business at age 10. Giovanni was a miser as a child. He was very stingy with his money; he was saving his money for a sword.  Giovanni accidently killed his brother while playing one day, foreshadowing his future murder. His parents were very wary of him after that, and sent him off on many apprenticeships to other textile merchants in faraway places. He was the youngest and most successful apprentice in Venice and Milan. Giovanni did not have many friends at a young age, because he was obsessed with gaining knowledge and money. Many were surprised when he found a wife at age 23. He married Ippolita Visconti of Milan, and their two families became allies.

Giovanni had many great achievements during his long life starting at a young age. Although he didn’t have many friends as a child, he grew to be very popular as an adult. He was an excellent swordsman, and had a brilliant mind for numbers. After his father and mother passed, he let his father’s textile business go and started the most successful bank in Europe today, the Sforza bank. Giovanni was the most powerful man in government as well. He made one of the most important decisions in Florence of the time, which was to exile the Medici. He also patronized many up-and-coming artists in the renaissance that brought great knowledge and architecture into Florence. Giovanni Sforza’s personal church also attracted many for its beautiful music and sermons. Giovanni’s sons and daughters also became very wealthy and prominent in society, before the Giovanni’s murders were uncovered.

No one realized Giovanni Sforza’s evil nature until 5 years before his death. At this time, even in his old age, Giovanni was as spry as ever. He was still an excellent fencer and very sharp. At this time, the Signoria was planning on eliminating Giovanni Sforza and everyone from the Sforza family from being part of the Signoria because it seemed like Giovanni was overpowering the decisionmaking. Mario Gonzaga was the leader of this movement. The night before the decision, Giovanni Sforza slit the throat of Mario Gonzaga. The witness, Lorenzo Paolini, reported the shocking news to the Signoria. Giovanni was banished from Florence. Giovanni went into hiding for the next 5 years, only communicating with his close family members and allies. Lorenzo Paolini, once a close friend of Giovanni, was also the one who uncovered the evidence of Giovanni’s other murder. Giovanni had murdered Lorenzo’s uncle, who was once Giovanni’s mentor, to steal his plans for a bank. Giovanni was only 20 at this time. Once this information was revealed, it was only a matter of time before Giovanni would be killed.

Giovanni is survived by his wife, Ippolita Visconti, and his 6 children: Francesa, Piero, Fiorentino, Nicolosa, Giulio, and Giorgio. Currently they are in hiding somewhere in Europe, and their residence and family information is unknown.

You look like an angel, walk like an angel, talk like an angel, but I got wise. You're the devil in disguise.” Elvis Presley

Good Riddance Giovanni Sforza, you had it coming. Your legacy will last forever.


 
Good morrow my readers! I hath been reading book after book lately to make myself a better man. I durst say one of the most interesting reads I hath cometh across yet is The Prince, by some fellow named Machiavelli. He has some very interesting views on leadership and human nature that I would like to share with thee readers. Have any of you read the book yet? Comment below what you think of it!

Although The Prince contains guidelines for a monarch, many strategies in this tale apply to a powerful and influencial family in a republic. Overall, I agreed with most of Machiavelli’s points about the behavior of humans and the qualities in a great leader. But in general, I thought Machiavelli’s view of the perfect leader was too harsh. Maybe because I have never lived in a monarchy before; or because I do not have to manipulate the uneducated and ignorant public often. But I still believe although a leader should be feared; a leader should not use fear and cruelty as Plan A. Plan A should be the opposite-trying to please your people. Plan B-being cruel- should be used extremely rarely. But alas! Readers-you may be thinking- “Giovanni Sforza! How will a leader make his people obey if he is trying to please them?” Well, I can show you through my own story.

                Currently, as a powerful man with influence in the government of Florence, I generally spend my time trying to subtly assert my dominance over other men in government, or cunningly getting around them in other ways. The way I made my way to power before this was getting other people to love me, as I stated in my previous blog post about my rise to power. Before I was wealthy and influential and popular, I spent most of my time getting people to like me and think I was pious, intelligent, generous, loyal, nice, and all those other qualities you want in an ally.

I agree with Machiavelli’s point that men judge solely on appearance. Trust me, although you have to appear completely virtuous, you don’t have to be completely virtuous. Don’t waste your time! People don’t see everything. Let them see what you want them to see. For example, No one knows I murdered the man who gave me everything, but everyone knows I threw him a beautiful funeral and I own a bank to his name. Normally, I don’t spend money on such frivolities as a lavish funeral. But sometimes, you have to make the public think you are generous. Usually, I save most of my money for bribes, patronizing artists, and trading.

                So you see, I did not become wealthy and powerful by being cruel and making others fearful of me, a trademark of Machiavelli’s advice. I made others think I was a good man, and once I had made it to the top, I asserted my dominance with some necessary unethicality- I murdered my mentor. Machiavelli would be proud of that bloody deed, eh?

I hope you enjoyed this comparison of Machiavelli’s beliefs with my own life. Thank you for reading, loyal followers!

Giovanni Sforza

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