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Renaissance
 The Sforza Family

The Sforza Family
Reading Level
     edHelper's suggested reading level:   grades 6 to 8
     Flesch-Kincaid grade level:   8.68

Vocabulary
     challenging words:    prominence, prosperous, military, leadership, patron, reportedly, leading, tribute, bridges, purpose, provided, enemy, itself, target, power, member
     content words:    Francesco Sforza, Cosimo De'Medici, Ludovico Sforza, When Ludovico, Last Supper

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The Sforza Family
By Sharon Fabian 		  
1     The name Sforza gives you some idea of what this family was all about. The name comes from the word meaning "force." From the beginning of their rise to fame through military service, to the height of their power as rulers of the Duchy of Milan, the Sforzas were a powerful family.
 
2     The Sforza family rose in prominence through military service. In the 1300's, leading members of the family were condottieri. Condottieri were the leaders of groups of soldiers, known as mercenaries, who hired themselves out to anyone who needed more troops.
 
3     Once the family had become prosperous and made a name for itself, leading members became rulers in Milan, Italy. Francesco Sforza became Duke of Milan in 1450. He also became a patron of the arts and letters in Milan, just as his friend Cosimo De'Medici was in Florence.
 
4     Ludovico, Francesco's son, became ruler of Milan in 1494. He became the most well-known member of the Sforza family. However, he is best known, not for his leadership as Duke of Milan, but for his support of one Renaissance artist.

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