The Renaissance: Rise of the Italian City-State The Renaissance: Rise of the Italian City-State

Renaissance: General Characteristics “rebirth”, or reawakening. Specifically… “rebirth”, or reawakening. Specifically… …Signals European interest in the “classical” past. …Signals European interest in the “classical” past. Occurred mainly in Italy (late 13 th C to early 17thC) Occurred mainly in Italy (late 13 th C to early 17thC) An urban movement; rural peasants hardly felt its effects An urban movement; rural peasants hardly felt its effects Most events and changes were limited to the rich, elite of society. Most events and changes were limited to the rich, elite of society.

Renaissance: Roots of Modernity? As of yet, we are not clear what modernity is, substantially, though we have some clues. As of yet, we are not clear what modernity is, substantially, though we have some clues. We know, as a whole, it signals a departure from the past We know, as a whole, it signals a departure from the past The past we are concerned with is Medieval institutions and ideas The past we are concerned with is Medieval institutions and ideas

Feudal chains, were "loosening" in Italian city- states. Textbook tells us these city states were a 'bridge'—to what? How would this lead to a weakening of feudal structure in the Italian city states?

Feudal Social Classes, Changes and Challenges Feudal Social Classes, Changes and Challenges SECULAR KING NOBLES KNIGHTS MERCHANTS PROFESSIONALS CRAFTSMEN PEASANTS freemen serfs RELIGIOUS POPE CARDINALS BISHOPS ABBOTS PRIESTS MONKS NUNS PEASANTS lay brothers and sisters serfs Unlike the Barons, Merchant $$ derived autonomously Merchant rulers also challenged Papal supremacy, by taking religious matters into their own hands: particularly religious architecture and sculpture Increasing control of city states by Merchant rulers, leads to new political ideas i.e. republics /dictatorships & diplomacy

Lorenzo de Medici of Florence Cossimo de Medici of Florence

Tomb of Lorenzo de Medici Plazzo Vecchio, Florence Medici court architecture, showcasing family line

Sociological & Economic impact of the city state KING NOBLES KNIGHTS MERCHANTS PROFESSIONALS CRAFTSMEN PEASANTS freemen serfs Economy, urban not rural (so, not agriculturally based) Economy, urban not rural (so, not agriculturally based) Money starts flowing into cities creating changes in class structures Money starts flowing into cities creating changes in class structures Modern financial & banking techniques develop (bookkeeping, loans, trade economies) Modern financial & banking techniques develop (bookkeeping, loans, trade economies) Competition between city states, propels the Merchant rulers to become patrons of arts and crafts, to beautify city Competition between city states, propels the Merchant rulers to become patrons of arts and crafts, to beautify city $$ Flowed, too, to Craftsmen. Inspiring innovation and creativity $$ Flowed, too, to Craftsmen. Inspiring innovation and creativity City also promised some freedom for serfs who moved to cities City also promised some freedom for serfs who moved to cities Increasingly, individualism emphasized Increasingly, individualism emphasized Increasingly, the notion of freedom from constraints… Increasingly, the notion of freedom from constraints…

Cultural Outcomes: Symbolism Effect of growing autonomy, leads to a dramatic shift in popular symbolism Effect of growing autonomy, leads to a dramatic shift in popular symbolism The ideal figure of the past—The Chivalric Knight —is replaced by…. The ideal figure of the past—The Chivalric Knight —is replaced by…. The “Renaissance Man” The “Renaissance Man” Values—to be knowledgeable about : Values—to be knowledgeable about : the world the world Art and architecture / to have refined taste Art and architecture / to have refined taste Classical sources—literature, art and science Classical sources—literature, art and science Crystallized in Castiglione’s, The Courtier Crystallized in Castiglione’s, The Courtier

Humanism Changing political, social and cultural ideals lead to… Humanism Derived from the Latin humanitas Derived from the Latin humanitas Viewed the classics (literature, philosophy and art) as their inspiration Viewed the classics (literature, philosophy and art) as their inspiration Stressed living in and understanding this world, human dignity, and responsible citizenship Stressed living in and understanding this world, human dignity, and responsible citizenship Saw knowledge as a guide to personal and political conduct Saw knowledge as a guide to personal and political conduct

Humanist Personalities 1. Petrarch & Mirandola pg Machiavelli pg Castiglione pgs Savonarola pgs More pgs 24 – Erasmus pgs 18 &