Why did the Medici family lose power in Florence in 1494?

The Medici family lost power in Florence in 1494 primarily due to the political failures of Piero di Lorenzo de’ Medici, who had assumed leadership following the death of his father, Lorenzo the Magnificent.12

Piero’s downfall was precipitated by several factors:

• Diplomatic Misjudgment: Faced with the imminent invasion of Italy by the French king Charles VIII, Piero abandoned the traditional French alliance in favor of Naples. When the French army arrived in Tuscany, he attempted to rectify this by meeting Charles VIII personally, resulting in a disastrous agreement that was perceived by the Florentines as a betrayal.13
• Domestic Unrest: Piero’s position was already precarious due to internal threats, including political intrigues from rival branches of the Medici family and the influential denunciations of the reformer Girolamo Savonarola, who criticized the corruption and luxury of the ruling class.14
• Popular Revolt: The indignation caused by Piero's concessions to the French triggered a revolt. The populace sacked the Medici Palace, forcing Piero to flee the city and leading to the establishment of a republic.15