Download WHAT WAS THE RENAISSANCE? The Renaissance is the name

THE WHAT?
THE RENAISSANCE – THIS IS WHAT IT MEANS:
RE
= once more again
NAISSANCE
= birth (from the French naitre to be born)
The Renaissance was a rebirth or revival of an interest in
learning based on classical models from ancient Greece and
Rome.
WHAT WAS THE RENAISSANCE?
The Renaissance is the name given to a new way of life that appeared in Europe. It marked
the end of the Middle Ages. It lasted from the 14th -16th centuries and changed people’
attitudes towards themselves and the world around them. It was a period when people rediscovered learning and looked back to the classical civilizations of Rome and Greece. It
was an exciting time of new inventions and amazing discoveries. It was also a time of
beautiful art works and magnificent buildings.
One major change was the development of the printing press
in Germany by Johannes Gutenberg around 1436. Previously
books were handwritten and expensive. The development of
printing made them quicker to produce and cheaper. The new
Renaissance ideas could spread quickly throughout Europe.
The Renaissance began in Italy. While most people in
Europe still worked on the land, Italy was different. It
was made up of several independent states. They were
prosperous and a centre for international trade. They
employed rich bankers, traders and lawyers who could
afford to build fine houses, buy books and employ
musicians and artists. The rival city-states competed with
each other to be the richest and most successful at
everything they did. Many new scholars arrived in Italy
after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. They brought
with them ancient manuscripts from Greece and Roman
times.
Old beliefs – ‘The Age of Faith’
In Medieval times man was taught that he was a sinner and must accept the church
and pray. The Middle Ages are often called “The Age of Faith” because most ordinary
men and women believed completely that God controlled everything and the Church
was always right. Deaths and poor harvests were a punishment from God for their
sins.
Church theories of the universe were based on the
writings of the ancient philosopher Ptolemy. The church
taught that God created the world and so the earth was
at the centre of the universe and other planets and the
sun revolved around it.
How was Renaissance belief different?
During the Renaissance people began to think and question more.
Renaissance man took the idea that “man was made in God’s image”
from the bible and said this meant that man must be special and so
must use all his talents. They believed that human life was valuable
and very interesting.
They admired people with wide-ranging talents who they called “universal men”
Perhaps the most famous example of this type of man is Leonardo da Vinci. He was
not only a famous painter but also studied engineering, anatomy, architecture, physics
and meteorology. His sketches and inventions were way ahead of his time.
The Renaissance touched many aspects of life. It was:
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The desire to know everything – to enquire into new ideas and criticise them.
A belief that man had great intellect.
A new interest in the human anatomy – stimulated great works of art.
New geographical discoveries by explorers of the new world.
New scientific discoveries and inventions.
1. What was the Renaissance?
2.When did the Renaissance take place?
3.Which two classical civilizations did the Italians look to for their
inspiration?
4.What new development made it possible for new Renaissance ideas
to spread quickly throughout Europe?
5.What major event led to new scholars arriving in Italy with
previously unknown classical manuscripts?
6.Why did the Renaissance start in Italy?
7. Why are the Middle Ages often know as “The Age of Faith”?
8. Draw Ptolemy’s diagram to show the Church’s teaching about the
universe?
9. How was Renaissance belief different?
10.
Complete the spider diagram to show:
ASPECTS OF THE
RENAISSANCE