After two hundred years of construction, Florence's Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower was finally completed. The church was the crystallization of several centuries of art, intended to replace Florence's Basilica of Santa Reparata, built in the 4th century.
No matter how carefully they were maintained, buildings had a lifespan—unless, like the Ship of Theseus, their old parts were replaced with new ones.
April 27, 1478, was a Sunday. Lorenzo de' Medici and his younger brother Giuliano arrived at the Basilica of Santa Reparata. The church had already been crowded before the brothers arrived. At that moment, Francesco of the Pazzi family walked up beside Giuliano, wrapped an arm tightly around him, and chatted with him amiably.
Giuliano was the family's notorious playboy, but that did not mean he lacked brains. He knew full well that the Pazzi family coveted the Medici family's power. Yet he assumed Francesco would not dare do anything improper in full view of the public, especially in a church, so he pretended to be friendly with him as well. The group walked deeper into the church together.
As they reached a pillar, someone suddenly sprang out. Before Giuliano could react, the dagger in the man's hand plunged into his chest.
Before the worshippers could even cry out, Giuliano had taken a few steps and collapsed to the floor. Then Francesco, who had just been arm in arm with him and chatting merrily, pounced on him and stabbed him several more times. Perhaps he moved too hastily, for he stabbed his own thigh. Blood immediately stained the church floor red, leaving the cardinal dumbfounded.
Antonio of the Pazzi family stood on one side of Lorenzo, while a priest stood on the other. The two attacked Lorenzo together. The moment Lorenzo realized he was under attack,