Early Medieval Europe By 500 AD Germanic invasions destroyed Western Roman Empire Trade declined Cities decayed Law and order vanished Feudalism Period known as “Dark Ages” Catholic Church dominant spiritual influence in Western Europe

High Middle Ages 1100 AD European monarchs built strong central governments Better farming methods  population growth Towns and trade reappeared Formation of Universities –Bologna, Italy

Crusades European Christians undertook series of military expeditions to recover Holy Land from Muslims Effects  Broadened European views of the world Italian cities of Venice and Genoa became more prosperous and powerful (Trade) Improved European technology

The Renaissance Began in city-states of Italy Why Italy  Remained important centers of Mediterranean trade Center of the Roman empire Feudalism never firmly entrenched Roman Catholic Church-patron of the arts

Theodoric Barber of York night-live/video/theodoric-of- york/2888/

Characteristics of the Renaissance “Rebirth” 1 st used by artist and art historian Giorgio Vasari ( ) to describe “rare men of genius” Political, social and economic change Shift to urban society Interest in the classical learning of Greece and Rome New emphasis on individual achievement Curiosity

Italian City-States New Social Order  Wealth and ability mattered more than aristocratic titles or ownership of land Merchants and Bankers Shopkeepers and Artisans Peasants

Venice Port city on Adriatic Sea Shipyards and Glass workshops Republican government- Headed by doge Great Council - (wealthiest merchants) –200 members Council of Ten- Judicial branch Decline after advance of Ottoman Turks Venice remained independent long after rest of Italy was subjugated by Habsburgs

Florence Originally a republic Rise of powerful banking family- Medici Cosimo de’ Medici –Introduced income tax –Made city improvements –Established peaceful relations between city and neighbors –Patron of Donatello and Brunelleschi

Lorenzo de’ Medici Cosimo’s grandson Supported artists, philosophers, and writers (patron) Nickname- Lorenzo “the Magnificent” 1490’s- decline of banking and industry Discontented citizens rallied in support of Dominican friar, Savonarola Medici’s exiled Lorenzo died in 1492 of syphilis

Savonarola New leaders imposed strict regulations on public behavior Gambling, swearing, and horse racing banned Repent of their “worldly” ways Bonfires- burned books, paintings, fancy clothes, and musical instruments “Bonfire of the Vanities” Hanged for Heresy Medici returned to power- 1512

Rome (Papal States) Pope and cardinals lived in Vatican  most powerful class Popes rebuilt the ancient city Placed political goals over religious duties –Sent ambassadors to other lands, collected taxes, and fought wars Promoted artistic projects to beautify Rome (St. Peter’s Basilica)

Rome (Papal States) Pope Alexander VI ( ) –Son Cesare Borgia began work of uniting the peninsula by ruthlessly conquering and exacting total obedience from principalities Pope Julius II “The Warrior Pope” ( ) –Determined to break the power of Cesare Borgia Imprisoned him –Patron of the arts (Michelangelo and Raphael) –Organized campaigns against Venice and France –Died 1513

Rome (Papal States) Leo X ( ) Giovanni de Medici –Son of Lorenzo –Entertainment and Luxury –Sold Indulgences Clement VII ( ) Giulio de Medici –Illegitimate son of Giuliano –Sack of Rome by Charles V in 1527

Kingdom of Naples and Sicily Disputed by Aragonese and French Urban Feudalism and nobility had a stronger hold King of Naples- Only king of Italy

Duchy of Milan Republic Condottieri- Francisco Sforza hired for protection Sforza became Signori ( married duchess) Peace of Lodi –League of all the Italian states Francisco died in st son murdered in nd son only 7 years old- real power held by brother Ludovico the Moor

Duchy of Milan Ludovico the Moor –Patron of Leonardo da Vinci Young duke married in 1488 to princess of Naples (wanted to regain power from Ludovico) –She appealed to her family in Naples Ludovico negotiated with French king Charles VIII ( ) for protection –Laid claim to Naples –Beginning of invasions

Invasions Charles VIII of France invades Italy League of Venice unites Venice, Milan, the Papal States, the HRE and Spain against France Louis XII invades Milan The Holy League- Pope Julius II, Ferdinand of Aragon, Emperor Maximilian, and Venice defeat the French Francis I leads 3 rd French invasion of Italy Concordat of Bologna between France and papacy Sack of Rome by imperial soldiers