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Renaissance: Revolution. The Renaissance. “Rebirth” 14 th – 17 th century (1300s – 1600s) Began in Italy in the mid-1300s Reached its height in the 1500s Revolution = Change: political , social, economic, & cultural. Why Italy?. Reawakened interest in the culture of Ancient Rome
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The Renaissance • “Rebirth” • 14th – 17th century (1300s – 1600s) • Began in Italy in the mid-1300s • Reached its height in the 1500s • Revolution = Change: political, social, economic, & cultural
Why Italy? • Reawakened interest in the culture of Ancient Rome • Wealthy, powerful merchant class • Italian city-states survived the Middle Ages (Florence, Milan, Venice, Genoa, Rome, and Naples) • Florence gifted poets, artists, scholars, and scientists • The Medici Family • became the richest merchants and bankers in Europe • gained control of Florentine government in 1434 • money translated into cultural and political power
Lorenzo de Medici • clever politician • held Florence together during difficult times • generous patron (financial supporter) of the arts • Poets, artists and philosophers frequently visited the Medici palace