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World Cultures
Unit 4: Europe
NAME _________________________
DATE ____________
PERIOD ______
The Dawn of a New Age
About 1450, European scholars became more interested in studying the world around them. Their art became
more true to life. They began to explore new lands. The new age in Europe was eventually called “the
Renaissance.” Renaissance is a French word that means “rebirth.” Historians consider the Renaissance to be the
beginning of modern history.
The Renaissance began in northern Italy and then spread through Europe. Italian cities such as Naples, Genoa,
and Venice became centers of trade between Europe and the Middle East. Arab scholars preserved the writings of
the ancient Greeks in their libraries. When the Italian cities traded with the Arabs, ideas were exchanged along
with goods. These ideas, preserved from the ancient past, served as the basis of the Renaissance. When the
Byzantine Empire fell to Muslim Turks in 1453, many Christian scholars left Greece for Italy.
The Renaissance was much more than simply studying the work of ancient scholars. It influenced painting,
sculpture, and architecture. Paintings became more realistic and focused less often on religious topics. Rich
families became patrons and commissioned great art. Artists advanced the Renaissance style of showing nature
and depicting the feelings of people. In Britain, there was a flowering in literature and drama that included the
plays of William Shakespeare. Learning and the Arts began to flourish during the Renaissance
Crusaders returned to Europe with a newfound understanding of the world.
The invention of the printing press encouraged literacy and helped to spread new ideas.
Wealthy families and the church had amassed enough wealth to become patrons.
The development of financial techniques such as bookkeeping and credit allowed merchants to prosper.
Activity
To learn more about the Renaissance you’ll be looking at a true “Renaissance man”, Leonardo DaVinci. Go to
sascurriculumpathways.com, user ID “kpsstudent”, and select QL #1355. Be sure to read and listen carefully as
you view the presentation. In some cases you will have to select the * symbol to move the presentation forward.
Remember as well to select the “iP” blocks for supplemental information. The presentation’s objectives are to:
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Activate and build knowledge about Leonardo da Vinci's interests and
accomplishments and how they help define the Renaissance
World Cultures
Unit 4: Europe
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Analyze relevant primary-source documents, maps, and images to reinforce
understanding
Demonstrate an understanding of Leonardo da Vinci's role in the advancement of
learning and the arts during the Renaissance
Assessment
Prior to the multiple choice assessment quiz you will need to complete the practice matching activity to review
key information from the presentation. Once you’ve completed the quiz, save it as a .pdf file and e-mail the
results to me at [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTAL ACTIVITY – EXTRA CREDIT
sascurriculumpathways.com, user ID: kpsstudent, QL #1115
Renaissance Humanism
Definition
In the Middle Ages, intellectual life centered on the teachings of the Catholic Church and emphasized the importance
of attaining a spiritual afterlife through one's moral and ethical actions. In the Renaissance scholars began embracing
a new philosophy or intellectual movement called humanism. Humanists read the "pagan" philosophical,
mathematical, and scientific writings of the ancient Greeks and Romans. As a result, they began to rethink education,
art, government, and the role of the church in civic life.
Renaissance humanists
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Idealized the classical world of the ancient Greeks and Romans
Focused on man and his intellectual powers
Focused on the classical ideal of seeking fulfillment and meaning in daily life
Focused on individual worth and potential
Focused on many secular (non-religious) aspects of life
Assignment
The individuals and works of art listed in the prompt reveal the importance and influence of humanism during the
Renaissance.
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After you choose one of the seven questions (painting, sculpture, poetry, architecture, life, religion, writing),
conduct your research. Apply the above definition of humanism to show how it was reflected in the art work,
writing, or life of the Renaissance figure introduced in the question.
Prepare a short presentation that answers the question you've researched.
If possible, find images or examples of text to illustrate the information in your presentation.
Take notes as you listen to each presentation. After all of the presentations are complete, compose your own
answer to each question.