The Italian Renaissance Mr. Meester AP European History Chapter 10 Pages 318-327

The Renaissance in Italy Renaissance means “rebirth” in French Considered the transition period from the middle ages to the modern world Occurred in Italy from 1375 to 1527

Rise of the Italian City-States The merchant controlled city-states in Italy had a cultural and economic advantage over the rest of Medieval Europe. Warfare and conflict helped lead to the rise of five major city-states Political conflict and clashing social classes were common in most Italian city-states Florence is a great example

The Medici Family The Medici family was able to seize power in Florence Cosimo de Medici controlled the Signoria Lorenzo de Medici was more totalitarian

Despots & Diplomacy Oligarchies within city-states would hire despots (Podesta) to run the city-state They used mercenaries known as condottieri for their military The use of diplomats was also vitally important when dealing with other city-states Condottieri

Humanism Humanism was the main philosophy and educational program of the Renaissance. They advocated the Studia Humanitatis when it can to learning. Humanists in the Italian Renaissance tended to be more secular than their middle age predecessors Humanists studied religion differently than their earlier rivals who practiced Scholastism.

Early Writers Francesco Petrarch: The Father of Humanism Dante Alighieri: The Religious Humanist Giovanni Boccaccio: The Racy Humanist

Education in Renaissance Italy One of the most subjects to study was ancient languages. The goal of humanist studies was, “Both the knowledge of the good and ability to move people to desire it.” The Education of the Orator, became the classical guide to humanist curriculum Baldassare Castiglione’s Book of the Courtier Noblewomen like Christine de Pisan also promoted education for women

The Florentine Academy One of the most important discoveries of the Renaissance was the rediscovery of classical Greek works. Humanists were especially attracted to the philosophy of Plato. This led to the creation of the Florentine Academy. Platonism took a flattering view of human nature. Pico Della Mirandola’s, Oration on the Dignity of Man

Lorenzo Valla Is an excellent example of how the humanists were willing to challenge long held traditions and beliefs Using his knowledge of classical languages he proved the Donation of Constantine to be a fraud.

Civic Humanism In Florence, a new style of Civic Humanism emerged that stressed not only individual virtue, but public service Several Civic Humanists became Chancellor of Florence. Toward the end of the Renaissance, humanism started to become elitist Leon Battista Alberti