Common knowledge is that the Medici family was a gang of rich bankers who were incredibly corrupt. They are treated like an earlier Italian version of the Rothschilds, and anything with their name on it must stink.

However, the Medici family was also huge proponents of art and are, in part, the reason why we have many Renaissance classics. They also were strong members of the Catholic Church, though some don't seem to have lived a Catholic lifestyle. A Medici became Pope? It MUST be because they bought the power because Heaven forbid a Medici actually be a pious religious person.

I'm curious how much of the 'common knowledge' story of the Medici family is actually true. Were they corrupt tyrants who bought their power? Were any of them virtuous Catholics? Do they deserve any praise or is the Medici family a poison on history?