[DoctorMichael]

The beginings of mafia ?

See my Post #9......The Medici, and other families at that time, carried with them many of the societal traits of the Italian/Sicilian Mediterranian ethos, one of which was what we today would characterize as Mafia-like: Nepotism, only a trust of close family members and the installing of them into positions of power, murder of rivals, etc., etc. (ie. very 'Godfather'-like, or the Baathist party of Saddam Hussein, for that matter).

[Revelation 911]

See my Post #9......The Medici, and other families at that time, carried with them many of the societal traits of the Italian/Sicilian Mediterranian ethos, one of which was what we today would characterize as Mafia-like: Nepotism, only a trust of close family members and the installing of them into positions of power, murder of rivals, etc., etc. (ie. very 'Godfather'-like, or the Baathist party of Saddam Hussein, for that matter).

The Hatfields and McCoys might bristle at the comparison

Italian/Sicilian Mediterranian ethos, one of which was what we today would characterize as Mafia-like: Nepotism, only a trust of close family members and the installing of them into positions of power

huh - go figure

Dad and Gramps used to call it "a loving family".

The family unit you describe is patriarichal, and is consistent with communities and societies not having been adulterated by the melting pot of American societal influences.

The contention of a murderous ethos on the part of mainland Italians and Sicilians is broadly bigoted at best - but then you top it by comparing us to the Baathist party of Sadaam Hussien

Simply charming

[CobaltBlue]

You're talking about tribalism - which is very hard for most Americans to comprehend - and your reference to the Baathists is accurate, although perhaps insulting to the Medici, who had far superior aesthetic taste to Saddam. They don't appear to have been as evil, either, although perhaps Saddam benefits from 20th century advances in industrialization of homicide. Who knows what the Medici might have achieved if they'd had efficiency experts to assist them?

Jest a joke - I to enjoyed the PBS series - and do recall the bit about the Medici (can't remember name) who modernized the organization. The setup looked remarkably like late 19th century grand style offices such as you see in federal cabinet level department buildings (the old Commerce building, for one) and corporate headquarters of that era (I am thinking of some insurance companies of the time - Aetna?)