A man with the intriguing nickname "the Unfortunate" , Piero di Lorenzo de’ Medici was born into one of the most powerful families in Renaissance Italy. He was the son of Lorenzo the Magnificent and inherited the leadership of Florence in 1492. However Piero lacked his father’s political skill.
In 1494, when King Charles VIII of France invaded Italy, Piero surrendered key Florentine fortresses without resistance. This infuriated the citizens of Florence, leading to his exile and the fall of Medici rule. His nickname speaks to his missteps as well as the misfortune that seemed to follow him.