CHAP. VI. LORENZO endeavours to secure the peace of Italy-Rise of the modern idea of the balance of power-Conspiracy of Frescobaldi-Expulsion of the Turks from OtrantoThe Venetians and the pope attack the duke of Ferrara -Lorenzo undertakes his defence-The Florentines and Neapolitans ravage the papal territories-The duke of Calabria defeated by Roberto Malatesta-Progress of the Venetian arms-Sixtus deserts and excommunicates his allies-Congress of Cremona-Death of Sixtus IV. -Succeeded by Giambattista Cibò, who assumes the name of Innocent VIII.-Lorenzo gains the confidence of the new pope-The Florentines attempt to recover the toun of Sarzana-Capture of Pietra Santa-Lorenzo retires to the baths of S. Filippo-The pope forms the design of possessing himself of the kingdom of Naples-Lorenzo supports the king-Prevails upon the Florentines to take a decided part-Effects a reconciliation between the king and the pope-Suppresses the insurrection at OsimoCapture of Sarzana-Lorenzo protects the smaller states of Italy-The king of Naples infringes his treaty with the pope-Peace again restored-Review of the government of Florence—Regulations introduced by Lorenzo -Prosperity of the Florentine state-High reputation of Lorenzo-General tranquillity of Italy. THE LIFE OF LORENZO DE' MEDICI. CHAP. VI. endeavours the peace 1481. SOON after the termination of hostilities between Lorenzo Sixtus IV. and the republic of Florence, Lorenzo to secure began to unfold those comprehensive plans for se- of Italy. curing the peace of Italy on a permanent foundation which confer the highest honour on his political life. Of the extensive authority which he had obtained by his late conduct, every day afforded additional proof; and it appears to have been his intention to employ it for the wisest and most salutary purposes. By whatever motives he was led to this great attempt, he pursued it with deep policy and unceasing assiduity, and finally experienced a degree of success equal to his warmest expectations. modern balance The situation of Italy at this period afforded an Rise of the ample field for the exercise of political talents. idea of the The number of independent states of which it was power. composed, the inequality of their strength, the ambitious views of some, and the ever active fears of others, kept the whole country in continual agi VI. CHAP. tation and alarm. The vicinity of these states to each other, and the narrow bounds of their respective dominions, required a promptitude of decision in cases of disagreement unexampled in any subsequent period of modern history. Where the event of open war seemed doubtful, private treachery was without scruple resorted to; and where that failed of success, an appeal was again made to arms. The pontifical see had itself set the example of a mode of conduct that burst asunder all the bonds of society, and served as a convincing proof that nothing was thought unlawful which appeared to be expedient. To counterpoise all the jarring interests of these different governments, to restrain the powerful, to succour the weak, and to unite the whole in one firm body, so as to enable them, on the one hand, successfully to oppose the formidable power of the Turks, and, on the other, to repel the incursions of the French and the Germans, both of whom were objects of terror to the less warlike inhabitants of Italy, were the important ends which Lorenzo proposed to accomplish. The effectual defence of the Florentine dominions against the encroachments of their more powerful neighbours, though perhaps his chief inducement for engaging in so extensive a project, appeared in the execution of it rather as a necessary part of his system, than as the principal object which he had in view. In these transactions we may trace the first decisive instance of that political arrangement which was more fully developed and more widely extended in the succeeding century, and which has since been denominated the balance of power. (a) *(a) v. Illustrations of the Life of Lorenzo de' Medici, p. 149. |