The Rise and Fall of the Florentine Republic

The Florentine Republic, endorsed by the humanists, actually represented a victory for the wealthy. The high point of that movement came in 1378-1382 when the guilds achieved dominance in Florence. Leonardo Bruni spoke with horror of the way that the people were eager to plunder the possessions of the rich. Never let political initiative or arms into the hands of the multitude, he said.