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Europe and the Mediterranean region, ca. 1328 THE RENAISSANCE around 1350-1600 Western Europe Background French for ‘rebirth’ – was a rebirth of ancient ideas, literature and art Marks the end of the late middle ages and the beginnings of modern history It was a prosperous period of art and culture in Europe and began in the 14th century in Florence, Italy and spread throughout Europe and lasted until about the early 17th Century (1350-1600) Took the ideas of the ancient Greeks (philosophy, math, science, art) & Romans (law) and added new knowledge (more modern) 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 The Crusades played a role in kickstarting the Renaissance as returning crusaders/traders often returned to Europe with works from Antiquity inspiring a revival of interest in the ancient world Fall of Byzantium (Istanbul) to the Ottoman Turks in 1453, Many scholars fled to Italy The bubonic plague reduced the population of Europe by about 30% which led to serfs and peasants being paid more and treated better due to labor shortages Many began to move to port towns where job opportunities were more plentiful, helping to increase the population of urban towns The emergence of a business or merchant class begins to grow in these areas (business owners) such as the Medici family in Florence become very wealthy and influential HUMANISM Sought to restore the lost eloquence of art, literature, language, and culture. Pushed for eloquence in place of logic. Put the human being at the center of the universe. Rejected the medieval view of humans as wretched and under God’s control (providence) Emphasized the goodness of human beings The first Humanist was the Italian poet Petrarch (1304-74) WHY ITALY? Numerous economic and political developments and a rise in a middle class is taking place in many Italian city-states (Florence, Rome, Genoa, Milan, Venice) Italy the commercial bridge between the West and the wealthier world of Asia (lots of trading ports) Venice, Genoa, Pisa, Milan Florence flourishing due to advanced shipbuilding and navigation techniques which leads to an increase in exploration and trade Many modern business skills were developing—bookkeeping, credit letters, seeking and developing markets + development of banking centres (emergence of Capitalism) ECONOMY SHIFTED from one based solely on land to one based on trade, credit, and opening / emerging markets. Rural to urban economy. Italy saw the emergence of city-states governed from a major city centre rather than a castle in the countryside The merchant class predominated, taking power (or at a minimum sharing it) with the older feudal nobility New states started as republics political authority resided theoretically in the people though in reality it was in the hands of those who controlled wealth (Eg. Medici family in Florence) Florence Italy seen as the leading city of Renaissance Italy by the fifteenth century (largely due to Medici family) The Medici’s, a rich banking family, dominated the Renaissance scene and became patrons of the arts which helped renaissance art flourish. They would commission artists who built great things (eg. Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Raphael, Brunelleschi) Under Cosimo Medici (1389 -1464), the family banking business became the richest business in all of Europe. He was a huge patron of the arts Pride in their city and a desire to showcase their wealth inspired rich men to spend money on the arts and culture Before this time artists were thought of as craftsmen. They made things, they didn’t create art.