Why was Giuliano de’ Medici assassinated during the Pazzi conspiracy?

Giuliano de’ Medici was assassinated during the Pazzi conspiracy on April 26, 1478, as part of a coordinated plot to overthrow the Medici family rulers of Florence.1

The assassination was driven by deep-seated political and financial resentment against the Medici brothers, Lorenzo and Giuliano. The key motivations included:

• Papal and Political Conflict: Pope Sixtus IV and his nephew, Girolamo Riario, opposed Lorenzo’s efforts to prevent the consolidation of papal rule over the Romagna region.1
• Financial Rivalry: The Pazzi family had successfully maneuvered to take over the lucrative business affairs of the papacy from the Medici bank.2
• Ecclesiastical Disputes: The conspirators included the archbishop of Pisa, Francesco Salviati, whom Lorenzo had refused to recognize in his position.1

The conspirators intended to kill both brothers during Easter mass at the Cathedral of Florence to seize control of the government. While Giuliano was killed, Lorenzo survived, and the subsequent public backlash against the conspirators ultimately strengthened the Medici family's position in Florence.12