The Renaissance in Italy Why Italy?

The Renaissance The rebirth of culture of ancient Greece & Rome The Renaissance began in Italy, then spread north to the rest of Europe. Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance for several reasons…

Location The renaissance was marked by a new interest in the culture of ancient Rome. Since Italy had been the center of the Roman Empire, it was a logical place for this new reawakening to begin.

Architectural Remains Architectural remains, statues, coins, and inscriptions - all were visible reminders of Roman Grandeur

Survivor Italy differed from the rest of Europe. Its cities survived the Middle Ages. The City-states like Florence, Milan, Venice, and Genoa grew into prosperous centers of trade and manufacturing.

Florence Florence came to symbolize the energy and brilliance of the Italian Renaissance. Like ancient city of Athens, it produced a number of gifted poets, artists, architects, scholars, and scientists in a short span of time.

Florence and the Medici Family In the 1400s, the Medici Family organized a successful banking business. They later expanded into wool manufacturing, mining, and other ventures. The Medici’s ranked among the richest merchants and bankers in Europe. Their wealth and power helped them become Patrons- financial supporters of the arts.

Humanism and New World View The Renaissance was a time of creativity and change in many areas – political, social, economic, and cultural. Most important were the changes that took place in the way people viewed themselves and their world.

The Renaissance produced new attitudes toward culture and learning. Unlike medieval scholars, who were more likely to focus on life after death, Renaissance thinkers explored the richness and variety of Human experience in the here and now There was also a new emphasis individual achievement. The Renaissance Ideal was a person with talent in many fields.

A Spirit of Adventure The Renaissance supported a spirit of adventure and a wide-ranging curiosity that led people to explore new worlds. Christopher Columbus – Sailed to the Americas Nicolaus Copernicus (Polish Scientist) – changed the way people viewed the universe (Heliocentric Universe)

Humanism At the heart of the Italian Renaissance was an intellectual movement known as humanism. Humanism focused on worldly subjects rather than religious issues. Humanists believed education should stimulate the individual’s creative powers…philosophy, history, poetry

Comparison Middle Ages Renaissance “Dark Ages” Roman Catholic Church Feudalism- Manors Gothic Architecture with Gargoyles Books written by hand Rebirth of interest in Ancient Greece & Rome Secular (worldly) Humanism Cities (instead of manors) 3-D perspective Printing Press