Renaissance
Renaissance The word Renaissance means rebirth The Italians between 1350 and 1550 believed they had witnessed a rebirth of classical antiquity
What is classical antiquity? The world (literature, art, architecture, etc.) of the ancient Greeks and Romans!
Italian Renaissance Renaissance begins in Italy… why?
Italian Renaissance Italy was a largely urban society made up of powerful city states A secular or worldly spirit emerged as many Italians began to enjoy day to day activities
Italian Renaissance Day to day activities: Theater Education/ School Art Discussion of politics Participate in the world around…
Italian Renaissance Also an Age of Recovery Began to recover from: The Black Death Political Disorder Economic recession
Italian Renaissance New view of human beings… Placed an emphasis on human ability Called humanism
Trends of the Period Renaissance Middle Ages Secular/ individualistic Focus on humans (humanistic) Urban Experience/ observation Active in the world Art glorified humans Middle Ages Religious & community Focus on God (theocentric) Agricultural/ rural Reason & logic Highest form of existence = monk Art glorified God
Italian States During the Middle Ages, Italy failed to develop a centralized monarchical state Lack of a strong ruler made it possible for a number of city-states in northern and central Italy to remain independent Three: Milan, Venice, and Florence were very important
Milan
Milan Located at the crossroads of the main trade routes Richest Italian city state 14th cent, members of the Visconti family established themselves as dukes of Milan In 1447, Francesco Sforza, a dynamic condottiere conquered city and became the new duke
Venice
Venice Grew rich from trading in the eastern Mediterranean A small group of merchant-aristocrats (who had become wealthy through trading) ran the government This is called an oligarchy
Florence
Florence A small group of merchants established control of the government (fought wars against their neighbors) In 1434 Cosmo de’ Medici took control of the city He “kept” the republican government, but really his family ruled the city