It was a tumultuous time.
Especially in 14th Century, where Italy was ruled by a number of city states that seemed always to be at war with each other.
When alchemist Niccol Billini decided to give up his test tubes, he accidently discovered a very powerful formula capable of firing a cannonball three times farther that existing cannons.
He suddenly became the most wanted man in Italy. Every city state wanted his formula and did everything in their power to get him and his formula.
When they were unsuccessful, they sent assassins to kill him for fear he would sell his formula to someone else.
In desperation, he returned to his first love - painting - and hid himself away. It didn't matter or stop the killers.