The Renaissance in Europe

~1300- ~1600 AD/CE

(14th-17th Century)

The economy and population of most of Europe managed to

stay afloat and recover from the multiple crises of the Late
Middle Ages.

Contact with the world beyond Europe continued to increase

(trade, crusades, travelers), and that trade network of good
and ideas continued to improve conditions in the now stronger
European societies.
Most historians now
acknowledge that, as opposed
to being a unique period in
terms of advancement, as
compared to other periods, the
basis of the advances in the
Renaissance period are
developments in earlier
centuries (12th-13th).

Columbus: 1492
Marked by a “rebirth” of interest in Greek and Roman ideals, it was an effort to return to the
refinement of Europe’s former glory.

Key areas of focus: Art, Architecture, Literature, Language, Logic, and Rhetoric.
 ● Greek and Latin texts had been read by students in Europe (since the founding of universities in the
1100s)
○ Especially the philosophical works of Ptolemy, Aristotle, Plato, Socrates, and Cicero were
studied.

● Scholasticism was the prevailing method of instruction in Europe between 1100-1500.

○ With the scholasticism approach, students were expected to reach conclusions after an analysis
and comparison/reconciliation of works of scholarship.

● Male students were attracted by groups of teachers in Italy and France. Kings and Popes allowed these
learning institutions autonomy to develop their curriculum and the right to grant degrees.

● Humanism arose as an alternative to the abstract nature of scholasticism.

 The Catalyst: Humanism
Humanism refers to a rationalist system of thought that gives primary importance to
human matters, such as achievements in education and artistry- instead of divine or
supernatural matters.

VS
Secularism refers to the principle of separation of the state from religious institutions.

Great Italian writers, artists, politicians and others declared that they were participating
in an intellectual and artistic revolution that would be much different from what they
experienced during the Dark Ages.
“Those who are rough by nature become by these studies more civil and mild
mannered” - Cassandra Fedele
 Humanism in Action
The ideas of Ancient Europe were highly prompted: appreciation of physical beauty,
emphasis on man’s intellect, achievements, and expression.
Humanist scholars argued that scholarly texts should be used to develop superior
understanding of individual capacity and morality, taking particular interest in Classical Art
and Literature, Language, Grammar, Arithmetic, Rhetoric, History, Philosophy, and Science.

The “Renaissance Man”

● Broad knowledge about many things in different
fields.
● Deep knowledge/skill in one area.
● Able to link information from different
areas/disciplines and create new knowledge.
● The Greek ideal of the “well-rounded man” was
at the heart of Renaissance education.

Copernicus: Lawyer, Doctor, spoke 4 languages, presented his theory that the the universe is heliocentric.
 Humanism & Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374)
❏ An Italian poet who was one of the pioneers of the Humanist intellectual movement, and is
called the Father of Humanism.

❏ He believed that the problem with scholasticism

is that it does not teach people how to live better
lives, and how to obtain salvation.

❏ As opposed to common perception, humanists in

general, were religious. Petrarch himself argued
that God had given humans their vast intellectual
and creative potential to be used to their fullest.
However, they objected to the Church intervening.

❏ Petrarch is most celebrated for his Italian poetry,

although he composed poetry in Latin as well.
 The Renaissance Begins: Florence, Italy
● 15th century Italy was divided into many city-states,
many of which were prosperous towards the end of the
middle ages.
● Venice and Genoa were successful in shipbuilding
and navigation, quickly becoming the centres of trade across the Mediterranean.
● Cloth was woven in many cities in Italy, and textiles were traded for spices and silk.
● Florence was an independent republic,
which was the banking and commercial
capital of Europe.
● The Banking Industry was thriving at the time
with the Florentine ‘Florin’ becoming the most
accepted gold coin.
● Wealthy Florentines flaunted their money and power by becoming patrons of artists
and intellectuals, quickly making Florence the cultural center of Europe and the
Renaissance
 Patronization and the Medici
The most powerful andFamily
wealthy family in Florence were the Medici Family. Made powerful through
banking and commerce, they ruled Florence for more than 60 years. In that time many members of the
family patronized a variety of artists- including Sandro Botticelli, Leonardo Da Vinci, and Michelangelo.
Growing more powerful over time, the Medici’s married into many European royal families, with two
Medici women becoming Queens of France:

● Catherine de’ Medici, Queen of France

○ “The Black Queen”- poison, black magic,
nationwide massacre.
● Marie de’ Medici, Queen of France & Navarre
The family also produced four Popes:
● Pope Leo X
● Pope Clement VII
● Pope Pius IV
● Pope Leo XI

The last Medici ruler died without a direct male heir in

1737, ending the “main family” line and it’s dynastic rule after almost three centuries.
In 1450, the invention of the Gutenberg printing press allowed for improved
communication throughout Europe and for ideas to spread more quickly.
 The Gutenberg Bible

The earliest major book printed using

mass-produced movable metal type in Europe. It
marked the start of the "Gutenberg Revolution" and
the age of printed books in the West.

The book is an edition of the Latin Vulgate, it is

valued and revered for its high aesthetic and artistic
qualities, as well as its historical significance.

Printed by Johannes
Gutenberg in Mainz (in
present-day Germany)
 Niccolo Machiavelli (1469-1527)
● An official/diplomatic in the republic of Florence, he authored
one of the most-widely read, studied,
and critiqued books of the Renaissance,
The Prince.

● As a humanist, he explores the

problems of human nature, and concludes
that humans are selfish and out to advance
their own interests.

● He urged politicians to engage in

deceit when it would lead to effective
solutions.

● According to him, the laws of politics

are based on expediency, not morality.

● The word “Machiavellian” is often used as a synonym for politically devious, corrupt and crafty.
Although it was addressed and give to Lorenzo de’ Medici,
Duke of Urbino (father of Queen Catherine de’ Medici)

The Prince was written as an instruction guide for

princes and new royals - a treatise on political
power

“It is better to be feared than loved,

if you cannot be both.”

Niccolo Machiavelli

Treatise: a written work dealing formally and systematically with a subject. Title page of a 1550 edition