Bringing News of Relief to Florence. In 1496 the unhappy state of Florence was further aggravated by the death of its ablest and most disinterested statesman; Pier Capponi. The league - comprising Pope Alexander VI; the Emperor Maximilian I. Venice; and Spain - now attacked Florence. The Pope was determined to destroy the Republic and to temporarily reinstate the Medici family; thus preparing the way for his own sons. The Venetians besieged Leghorn; and there was great misery in Florence. However; the enemy were beaten; and the league; showing signs of dissolution; enabled the Florentines to alleviate the distress in their own city. Illustration for Hutchinson's History of the Nations (Hutchinson; c.1920).