biography
| name: |
Castracani degli Antelminelli, Castruccio
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pronunciation:
[kastrakahnee delyee ante
| sex:
| male
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| lived:
| (1281–1328)
|
| biography:
| Condottiere and ruler of Lucca, born in Lucca, Tuscany, NW Italy. A member of the Bianchi faction, he was forced into exile in 1300, but returned in 1314. With Uguccione della Faggiuola he defeated the Guelphs at Montecatini (1315) and replaced him as ruler of Lucca (1315). He set himself up as leader of the Ghibellines, conquered Pistoia, and defeated the Florentines at Altopascio (1325). He was appointed imperial vicar and Duke of Lucca by Ludwig the Bavarian (1327). Machiavelli wrote an idealized biography of him in Viat di Castruccio Castracani (1520). |
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