Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance

1. Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance Unit 1- The Renaissance and Reformation (1300-1600)

2. The Middle Ages • During the Dark Ages, Europe suffered from war and the bubonic plague. • People grew tired of suffering and wanted to celebrate life. • People began to question their governments and the Roman Catholic Church who couldn’t end people’s suffering. • The new movement –The Renaissance – saw writers and artists express this new spirit of celebration and it would change how Europeans saw themselves and the world.

3. Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance • Renaissance means “rebirth.” • It began in Northern Italy and spread to the rest of Europe. • It was a period of revival for learning and the arts that people hoped would revive the culture of classical Greece and Rome.

4. Italy’s Three Advantages • Large City-States that thrived on trade. 1300’s plague killed 60% & survivors demanded higher wages. • A Wealthy Merchant class developed in Florence and Milan. Cosimo de Medici gained control of Florence’s government in 1434. His son Lorenzo the Magnificent came to power in 1469. They invested heavily in the arts and opened a library. • The Legacy of Greece and Rome was seen as superior to the art and learning of the dark ages. Scholars were surrounded by ruins from the Roman empire and they studied Latin and Greek manuscripts.

5. Bell Ringer Italy: Birthplace of the Renaissance 1. Renaissance means __________. a. Education b. Rebirth c. Awakening 2. What factor led to the growth of large city-states in Northern Italy? a. The bubonic plague b. The popularity of art c. Overseas trade 3. Florence’s _________ family was the wealthiest in Europe and did much to advance art and learning in Northern Italy. a. Corleone b. Castiglione c. de Medici 4. The ancient civilizations of _________ and _________ were an inspiration for the Renaissance. a. Greece and Rome b. Egypt and Nubia c. Babylon and Mesopotamia

6. Humanism • The study of Greek and Roman literature led to humanism – the focus on the potential of human beings and their achievements. • They sought to revive classical education such as history, literature, and philosophy – the humanities. • Humanism also taught that one could enjoy life on Earth without offending God. • Most people remained devout Roman Catholics, but the basic spirit of society became more secular – worldly more than spiritual.

7. Patrons of the Arts • Church leaders during the Renaissance beautified Rome and other cities by spending large sums of money on artwork. • Patrons of the arts financially supported artists. The wealthy merchant and banking class were also great patrons of the arts. Cosimo de Medici

8. The Renaissance Man • Renaissance writers put forth the notion that all educated people were to create art. • The Renaissance Man, as described in Baldassare Castiglione’s book, The Courtier (1528) taught that a man should be charming, witty, well-educated in the classics, and should dance, sing, play music, write poetry, and be a skilled horseman, wrestler, and swordsman.

9. The Renaissance Woman • The Courtier also said that upper class women should also know the classics and be charming. • However, they were expected to inspire art, but not really create it. • Most Renaissance Women had little influence in politics though there were a few exceptions. • Renaissance women were better educated that medieval women.

10. Exit Slip Classic and Worldly Values 1. A movement that focused on human potential and achievement? a. Individualism b. Humanism c. Imperialism 2. Renaissance society became more _______ - worldly rather than spiritual. a. Secular b. Open c. Rigid 3. People who support the arts financially are said to be ________. a. Wealthy b. Generous c. Patrons 4. Baldassare Castiglione described the Renaissance Man and Woman in his 1528 book entitled ___________. a. Decameronb. The Prince c. The Courtier