chapter 13 euro society in the age of the renaissance 1350 - 1550
TRANSCRIPT
Evolution Italian Renaissance/Intellectual
Hallmark Chapter 13
Euro Society in the Age of the Renaissance 1350 - 1550
New literary and artistic culture first emerged in Italy ◦ spread gradually ◦ at different time ◦ in different ways throughout western and
central Europe
KEY CONCEPTS
The rebirth of ancient Greek and Roman artistic and literary styles, languages, and values was at the heart of the Italian (Ital) Ren. Humanism
◦ revival of classical texts ◦ educational curriculum based on them
The Ren rested on new political and social structures◦ forged in communes -quasi-independent city-states in Italy,
dominated by wealthy merchants who became the patrons of artists and scholars
Individualism and secularism ◦ developed as new society values◦ city-states competed and went to war with each other
their disunity left them vulnerable to unified nation-states like France (Fr) and Spain.
KEY CONCEPTS
The most influential writers◦ Castiglione ◦ Machiavelli
In northern Eur. Christian humanism developed with a special focus on ethics and religion. ◦ Two major northern humanists were
Thomas More Desiderius Erasmus
Ren artists adopted many elements from antiquity◦ Roman arches ◦ motifs and themes in painting. ◦ Perspective and realism allowed them to imitate nature.
Important patrons◦ Communal bodies ◦ wealthy merchants◦ the church
KEY CONCEPTS
Thomas More◦ Chancellor of the Tutor king Henry VIII◦ Utopia – a revolutionary text
An ideal egalitarian socialistic community Everyone works & receives a classical education Avoids war Distains gold & silver
Greed & private property ruins society
Desiderius Erasmus◦ Friend of More’s◦ 1st international scholar◦ Known for his knowledge of Greek◦ In Praise of Folly – satirized worldly wisdom
Stressed education as the key to reform Advocate of inner Christianity
◦ New edition of the Greek New Testament Argued for the translation of scripture into vernacular languages
Christian Humanism
First published in 1516, Thomas More's Utopia is one of the most important works of European humanism. Through the voice of the mysterious traveller Raphael Hythloday, More describes a pagan, communist city-state governed by reason. Addressing such issues as religious pluralism, women's rights, state-sponsored education, colonialism, and justified warfare, Utopia seems remarkably contemporary nearly five centuries after it was written, and it remains a foundational text in philosophy and political theory.
Utopia
The invention of movable type and the printing press in the mid 15thC
◦ quick and relatively inexpensive dissemination of new ideas
◦ fostered literacy ◦ made the Ren an international movement
KEY CONCEPTS
Johann Gutenberg (& several other Ger. craftsmen)
◦ Invented movable type that could be used time after time Adopted principles of wood stamp and Chinese block
printing Met the growing demand for books ever growing literate
population◦ Paper technology developed – replaced expensive
vellum and parchment◦ Technology spread fast – 110 cities w/n 3 decades◦ 1st printed books were religious
Followed by romances, pornography, manual to scholarly, medical & legal texts
Gap between literate and illiterate narrowed as the 1st read to the other
The Printed Word
Keep in mind the cultural movement of the Renaissance and the new values it spawned intersected with changes in political, social and religious ideas in the next centuries and the way it changed as it moved from country to country.
Many FRQs (Free Response Questions)on the AP exam have asked students to answer questions using their knowledge of the Ren as a starting point – for example, its influence on later developments or comparison of it with other artistic movements.
AP Tip
Northern Italy◦ Emerging econ powerhouses
Foreign trade & advance shipbuilding Venice, Milan & Genoa
◦ Birth of the Ren Florence
Wealthy city-state Bankers
For the papacy Extensive networks throughout Eur Invested profits Florentine manufacturing
Wool Silk Selling high quality merchandise
Setting for the Renaissance – Economic and Political Developments
Commune◦ An association of free men who over time won
independence from nobles managed their cities Built city walls Levied taxes Regulated trade/business
Oligarchies (power rests with a small
number of people)
◦ Nobles & merchants families Interwoven by marriage Wrote constitutions Called communes republics
Organization of city-states
Map of Lucignano. Note the defensive arrangement of the housing and the patchwork of small fields.
Popolo◦ Ordinary people◦ Excluded from citizenship & disenfranchised
Even after successful revolts Condottieri – military leaders (control revolts)
Signor – man responsible for running the gov. Republican Constitution & Signori
◦ Both had small number of men with power◦ Both has luxurious courts – the centers of cultural
life Became the models for later monarchs outside of
Italy
Organization of city-states
The 5 strong states◦ Florence - republic◦ Venice - republic◦ Milan - republic◦ The Papal States – ruled by the Pope◦ Naples – Kingdom: The House of Aragon
Competitive◦ Sought to dominate smaller states◦ Diplomacy created
Permanent resident ambassadors Concept of balance of power (to prevent control of any
one state)
Balance of Power among Italian City-States
City-state – a city that governs itself and controls the surrounding countryside in order to guarantee the food supply to the city.
Ital. city-states took advantage of the long-standing conflict between the Holy Roman Empire and the papacy to assert their independence.
The men who created the republics were aware that they were doing something unusual and articulated new ideas about government.
AP Tip
Humanism◦ Studia humanitates – liberal studies
Refers to the study of Latin and eventually Greek classics
Broader – emphasis on the abilities and achievements of humans
During the medieval period Latin classics were studied, largely religious in orientation Humanists revived classical Latin v medieval church Latin
Art of rhetoric Elegant written/oral communication Emulate the lively dialogues of the ancient Platonic Academy
Petrarch – 14thC poet led the way
Intellectual Change
On the Dignity of Man – Pico della Mirandola◦ Man’s inherent & unlimited potential for greatness
Reflected Greek thought – particularly Plato In 1484 Pico became a member of Florence's Platonic
Academy. studied and tried to reconcile the teachings of Judaism,
Christianity, and Islam. In 1486, he published a collection of 900 philosophical
treatises in which his conclusions often differed from those of the
Roman Catholic Church. "Oration on the Dignity of Man," describes his belief,
contrary to church dogma, that people have free will and are able to make decisions affecting their destinies.
Not surprisingly, the Church declared Pico a heretic; he was only saved from demise by the intervention of
Lorenzo de Medici.
Intellectual Change
Individualism (individual ambition) hallmark of humanism◦ Italy – ambitious men became wealthy, powerful
Renaissance Men – uomo universale◦ multitalented & highly creative
Leon Battista Alberti – architect & humanist Leonardo da Vinci Benvenuto Cellini
Goldsmith/sculptor Self proclaimed genius and beautiful
Autobiography
Intellectual Change
Ren individualism is easily seen in the genre of autobiography and portraits (useful point in an essay)
◦ Portraits – put a face on Ren leaders, something that was not handed down from the medieval period Medicis Raphael
AP Tip
The Madonna of the Pinks ('La Madonna dei Garofani') 1506-7, Raphael
Self portrait by Raphael (1483 - 1520
The Girl with the Pearl Earring, originally called Girl Wearing a Turban – thought to be Vermeer’s eldest daughter.
New educational curricula & values were the heart of the Ren◦ Validity of the secular world
Prepare students for success Training in “highest gifts” & firm moral foundation
◦ Not for private benefit alone City-states needed people trained to speak & write
well Argue persuasively Paul Vergerio
Opened schools teaching Latin & Greek grammar Historical, ethical, philosophical texts
◦ Advanced education for middle/upper classes
Education
Women◦ Excluded
No schools for girls created◦ Humanists
Rhetoric is the proper study for men Morals & religion for women On the Family – Leon Battista Alberti
Women should be strictly limited to household responsibilities
◦ Some upper class women did acquire a humanist education & wrote humanist texts. ? Was there a Ren for women ?
Education
Portrait of a lady, tempera painting on panel by Sandro Botticelli, about 1470
• Christine de Pizan is seen as the first female to really display feminist ideals with her book, “The Book of the City of Ladies”. • de Pizan wrote of different females and their
contributions to society. • also showed women alternate ways to use their
abilities in order to counteract the high degree of misogyny that existed (Christine de Pizan: An Illuminated Voice).
• Humanists also began to believe that women who were aristocratic deserved to have at least a minimal education.
• very limited educational rights • not really welcome to participate in
intellectual activities such as debate and lecture.
• The main purpose of women during the Renaissance • marriage • child-bearing
• The Renaissance represented the beginning of a slow change in thought
The Courtier – Baldassare Castiglione◦ Most influential educational text (1528)
Ideal - aristocratic men & women Gentlemen
should have a broad academic background Physically skilled Be able to recite Latin poetry Compose a sonnet Wrestle Solve a mathematical problem Dance
Ladies Develop artistic talents Be modest Be beautiful
◦ Contrast with medieval period Ren – all spheres of human endeavor – universal competence Med – religiosity - conformity
Education
Niccolo Machiavelli ◦ Excellent scholar of history◦ Intimately involved in the politics of Florence
Diplomat Local official
◦ The Prince – 1513 Written for signori (princes) How to achieve and hold power
Amoral & ruthless manipulation of people People = selfish & inconstant
Rulers should be clever as a fox & fierce as a lion Considered the 1st work of modern political science
Sought to analyze what people did rather than what they ought to do Identified politics as a distinct discipline with its own laws
Political Thought
The Prince◦ Embodies the Ren value of secularism
Held this world, rather than the next, in highest regard Values changed
◦ Basic tenets of Christianity/religion remained strong◦ Secularism adopted by new wealthy elite who patronized
the arts and sought more pleasurable lives
Secular Spirit
Lorenzo Valla◦ Father of modern historical criticism
Used his knowledge of Latin to unmask an 8thC papal forgery known as the Donation of Constantine Justified the authority of the popes
◦ On Pleasure – Exalted sensual pleasures
Boccaccio ◦ Decameron
Portrayed the rascality, wit, and sensuality of ordinary people The Popes
◦ Appreciated worldly pleasure Decorated the Vatican with works of art Spent huge sums on commissioning the best artists of the
day Michelangelo
Built the dome of St. Peter’s Painted the ceiling and altar wall of the Sistine Chapel
Secular Spirit
Northern Renaissance – 15thC◦ Ideas transferred north by students studying in
Italy Northern humanists sought to reconcile classical and
Christian virtues Stressed the value of reason and human intellect
Christian Humanism
Albrecht Durer Praying Hands, (c.
1508)