THE RENAISSANCE Italy ( )

A New Beginning The disorder and chaos of the late Middle Ages seemed to mark the beginning of a long-term decline for Europe. The disorder and chaos of the late Middle Ages seemed to mark the beginning of a long-term decline for Europe. But the expansion of trade (due to the Crusades and Black Death), the re-discovery of Ancient learning (brought back from Muslim lands and hidden in monastic libraries), and new political structures lead to a rebirth centered in Italy in the late 14 th century. But the expansion of trade (due to the Crusades and Black Death), the re-discovery of Ancient learning (brought back from Muslim lands and hidden in monastic libraries), and new political structures lead to a rebirth centered in Italy in the late 14 th century.

Northern Italian Economy Cities developed international trade: Genoa, Venice, Milan. Cities developed international trade: Genoa, Venice, Milan. First large scale urban societies since Roman Empire. First large scale urban societies since Roman Empire. popolo (middle class) took power in 13th century; republican gov’t short-lived in most. popolo (middle class) took power in 13th century; republican gov’t short-lived in most. signori (despots) or oligarchies (rule of merchant aristocracies) by 1300 signori (despots) or oligarchies (rule of merchant aristocracies) by 1300 commenda: Contract between merchant and “merchant-adventurer” who agreed to take goods to distant locations and return with the proceeds (for 1/3 of profits) – fostered trade. commenda: Contract between merchant and “merchant-adventurer” who agreed to take goods to distant locations and return with the proceeds (for 1/3 of profits) – fostered trade.

Italian City States, 1454

Politics of Italian City-States Republic of Florence (Included Republic of Genoa) – Medici family Republic of Florence (Included Republic of Genoa) – Medici family Important Banking center. Important Banking center. Cosimo De’Medici ( ): allied with other powerful families of Florence and became unofficial ruler of the republic Cosimo De’Medici ( ): allied with other powerful families of Florence and became unofficial ruler of the republic Lorenzo the Magnificent ( ): lavish patron Lorenzo the Magnificent ( ): lavish patron of the arts of the arts

Politics of Italian City-States Girolamo Savonarola ( ) – theocracy in Florence ; (predicted French invasion due to paganism and moral decay of Italian city-states); burned at the stake Charles VIII ( ) Girolamo Savonarola ( ) – theocracy in Florence ; (predicted French invasion due to paganism and moral decay of Italian city-states); burned at the stake Charles VIII ( ) Began the decline of Florence. Began the decline of Florence. French invasions of Italy - Italy became battleground for international ambitions French invasions of Italy - Italy became battleground for international ambitions

Politics of Italian City-States Duchy of Milan -- Sforza family (Caterina Sforza ( ), great art patron) Duchy of Milan -- Sforza family (Caterina Sforza ( ), great art patron) Rome, the Papal States – papacy (“Renaissance popes”) Rome, the Papal States – papacy (“Renaissance popes”) Venetian Republic – Venetian Republic – –Trade power on the Adriatic Sea –Oligarchy headed by the doge Isabella d’Este ( ): most famous Renaissance female ruler (ruled Mantua) Isabella d’Este ( ): most famous Renaissance female ruler (ruled Mantua) condottieri: leaders of private armies hired by cities for military purposes condottieri: leaders of private armies hired by cities for military purposes

Humanism Humanism -- Revival of antiquity (Greece and Rome) in literature Humanism -- Revival of antiquity (Greece and Rome) in literature Individualism/ secularism: “man is the measure of all things” Individualism/ secularism: “man is the measure of all things” virtú: the quality of being a great man in whatever noble pursuit virtú: the quality of being a great man in whatever noble pursuit Education: (emphasis on Latin and Greek) Education: (emphasis on Latin and Greek)

Humanism Petrarch—( ) “Dark Ages” metaphor; “father of humanism” and Petrarch—( ) “Dark Ages” metaphor; “father of humanism” and 1st modern writer, literature no longer subordinate to religion Dante – Divine Comedy Dante – Divine Comedy Boccacio – Decameron: aimed to impart wisdom of human character and behavior. Boccacio – Decameron: aimed to impart wisdom of human character and behavior. Pico della Mirandola ( ) Oration on the Dignity of Man; Platonic academy Pico della Mirandola ( ) Oration on the Dignity of Man; Platonic academy Baldassare Castiglione ( ) – The Book of the Courtier Baldassare Castiglione ( ) – The Book of the Courtier

Humanism Leonardo Bruni ( ) – wrote history of Florence; division of historical periods; narrative form; civic humanist; first to use term “humanism” Leonardo Bruni ( ) – wrote history of Florence; division of historical periods; narrative form; civic humanist; first to use term “humanism” Lorenzo Valla ( )—On the False Donation of Lorenzo Valla ( )—On the False Donation of Constantine (1444); study of Latin Constantine (1444); study of Latin Niccolo Machiavelli Niccolo Machiavelli ( ) -- The Prince ( ) -- The Prince (1513) – Cesare Borgia (1513) – Cesare Borgia