Italian Renaissance Chapter 5 Section 1 The Italian Renaissance began the opening phase of the Renaissance, a period of great cultural change and achievement in Europe that spanned the period from the end of the 13th century to about 1600, marking the transition between Medieval and Early Modern Europe. The word renaissance (Rinascimento in Italian) means “rebirth”, and the era is best known for the renewed interest in the culture of classical antiquity after the period that Renaissance humanists labelled the Dark Ages. These changes, while significant, were concentrated in the elite, and for the vast majority of the population life was little changed from the Middle Ages.

Trade with Asia The Silk Road Reopens Silk Road- caravan route that started in China and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. The Silk Road gets its name from the lucrative Chinese silk trade, a major reason for the connection of trade routes into an extensive trans-continental network.

Marco Polo

Marco….. Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant traveler His father Niccolo and uncle Maffeo traveled throughout China. They met Kublai Khan and eventually held important positions in the Chinese Government in Peking. When they returned to meet Marco they ventured back to Asia. They spent over 24 years on their journey. In 1269, they returned to Venice to meet Marco for the first time. The three of them embarked on an epic journey to Asia, returning after 24 years to find Venice at war with Genoa; Marco was imprisoned, and dictated his stories to a cellmate His stories made people interested in Asian culture.

Mongol Empire

Polo Captured by Genoa At the time when Marco Polo returned from Asia Venice was at war with Genoa . The two cities were fighting for the trade of the world. In a great naval battle the Venetians were completely defeated and Marco was captured by the enemy.

Rustichello da Pisa For a year he was confined in a Genoese prison. One of his fellow-prisoners was a skillful penman and Marco Polo dictated to him an account of his experiences in China, Japan, and other Eastern countries. Written by Rusticello da Pisa

II Milione The book was called II Milione (The Million). His writings made people curious about Asian cultures. Called The Travels of Marco Polo in English Trade grew significantly after the spark of interest in foreign cultures.

Kublai Khan was the fifth Great Khan of the Mongol Empire from 1260 to 1294 and the founder of the Yuan Dynasty in East Asia.

Trading Cities in Italy Trade Cities in Italy 4 major trading cities: Florence Genoa Milan Venice 2 Important roles of trade cities Sea ports on the Mediterranean (Venice and Genoa) Manufacturing centers. Each city produced certain goods. Venice- Glass Milan- Weapons and silk Florence- wool weaving into cloth

Milan One of the richest city-states in all of Italy. Prospered from trade and an efficient tax system The Visconti family ruled Milan from 1277-1447. The last Visconti ruler died in 1447. There were no more male heirs. Francesco Sforza conquered Milan. Father of Ludvico Sforza

Francesco Sforza Biscione….Visconti’s symbol

Venice Venice was a republic that had a leader called a doge. Venetian word meaning leader. Venice and Genoa had a doge. Venice was essentially run by a group of merchant-aristocrats that made government decisions based on their own interests. Aristocrat- a member of a ruling class or of the nobility.

Venice

Genoa Sea port in Italy during the Renaissance. Holy Roman Emperor was the overlord and the Bishop of Genoa was the president. Consuls held the actual power in the city. Consuls- elected officials by the Roman Republic.

Florence, Italy Wealth began with the trade of wool but banking increased their wealth greatly. Bankers began earning money by making loans and charging interest. Interest- fee that lenders charge people who borrow money from them. Florence had a republican form of government similar to the U.S.

The greatest banking family was the Medici family. Cosimo de’ Medici The greatest banking family was the Medici family. Cosimo de’ Medici was the most powerful member of the family and ruled Florence by 1434. Wanted Florence to be the most beautiful city in the world

Cosimo de’ Medici Paid architects to redesign much of the city to ensure its beauty. Built libraries and collected books to enhance education Under his power Florence became the center of Italian art, literature, and culture. His grandson Lorenzo also played an integral part in Florence.

Girolamo Savonarola Girolamo Savonarola began condemning the corruption and excesses of the Medici family. Savonarola gained enough followers to control Florence. People grew tired of how strict he was on things like gambling, horseracing, swearing, painting, music, books…. He attacked the corruption of the church. Accused of heresy and sentenced to death in 1498. The Medici regained power after his death.

Girolamo Savonarola

Beginning of the Renaissance Renaissance- “rebirth” and refers to the period that followed Europe’s Middle Ages. Interest in art and literature revived, especially in ancient Greek and Roman works. New ways of thinking emerged during this time period.

Important Factors of the Renaissance Largely an urban society. Was an age of recovery from the disasters of the 14th century like the plague, political instability, and a decline of church power. A new view of human beings emerged as people began to emphasize individual ability.

Italian Writers and Artists Known as humanities because they explore human activities rather than the physical world or the nature of God. Italian Writers and Artists Sources of inspiration: By the 1300s scholars had begun to broaden their interest beyond religious study.

Italian Writers and Artists Began studying poetry, history, art, and the Greek and Latin languages. Known as humanities Humanism- a way of thinking and learning that stresses the importance of human abilities and actions.

Sources of Inspiration Interest in the humanities was linked to the rediscovery of ancient writings. Ancient classical writings by Greek thinkers were brought to Italy by scholars who tried to escape the Turks Many Latin texts were found in monasteries These discoveries led to a renewal of classical Greek and Roman culture In the 1300s Turkes conquered much of the Byzantine Empire. Scholars seeking to escape the Turks fled to Italy. They carried rare works of literature with them.

Niccolo Machiavelli Italian writer and politician. He is one of the main founders of modern political science He did not care about theories or what should work. Only interested in what really happened in war and peace. Wrote The Prince. Gave leaders advice on how to rule. Alighieri (ahl-eeg-yeh-ree) wrote in Italian rather than Latin. He considered Italian, the people’s language, to be as good as Latin. The Prince- Machiavelli says that a ruler must be concerned with reputation but also be willing to act immorally. As a political scientist, Machiavelli emphasizes the occasional need for the methodical exercise of brute force, deceit, and so on.

Baldassare Castiglione Italian diplomat and prominent Renaissance author. Wrote The Book of the Courtier Described the characteristics of a perfect Renaissance noble: He was born, not made. Must have character, grace, and talent. Had to develop two basic skills. Had to perform military and physical exericses. Expected to have a classical education.

Family and Marriage The family bond was very important during the Renaissance in Italy. To maintain the family, parents carefully arranged marriages, often to strengthen business or family ties. Most important aspect of marriage was the dowry. Dowry- a sum of money given by the wife’s family to the husband upon marriage.

Family and Marriage The father-husband was the center of the family. He gave it his name, managed all finances, and made the decisions that determined his children’s lives. Mother’s chief role was to supervise the household. A father’s authority over his children was absolute until he died or formally freed his children. Children became adults when their father went before a judge and formally freed them. Age of adulthood varied between early teens to the late twenties.