Origins of the Renaissance

AP European History2012-2013Androstic

The origins of the Renaissance.

• Means “rebirth”

• Roman and Greek influence

• About 1350-1600

• Origins: Italian city-states

How was the Renaissance culture a change from the

late Middle Ages?

Why did the Renaissance begin in Italy?

• Proximity to Roman culture

• access to classical literature and art

• Economic factors

• Growth of middle class

The characteristics of Italian city-states:

• No king

• Wall city and surrounding countryside

• Centers for trade

• Merchant oligarchies

Florence:

• Most influential city-state

• Medici family

• Dense population of artists and authors

• Medici’s supported the arts

What problems might arise from the organization of city-states

rather than under a strong central government that ruled

over a large area?

What advantages may come from city-states instead of a

strong national government and unification of all of Italy?

Additional Characteristics:• Secularization

• Individualism

• Moral, political and civic philosophy

• Humanism

• Realism in artwork

Secularization

• Decline in church’s prestige

• Greater appreciation for earthly beauty

• Human talents developed

Individualism

• City-states paralleled individualism

• Appreciation for individual accomplishments

• Secularization leads to individualism

• Civic responsibility leads to individualism

How are these characteristics “modern”? How are they antiquated?

In this era of rebirth, new philosophies and attitudes

evolved in the field of politics. Perhaps the most

well-known and controversial thinker was

Niccolo Machiavelli.

Niccolo Machiavelli’s The Prince.

• Florentine – written for Lorenzo de Medici

• Handbook for rulers

• Separated theology from politics

Machiavelli wrote…

“A prince never lacks legitimate reasons to break his promise.”

“A wise ruler ought never to keep faith when by doing so it would be against his interests.”

“He who wishes to be obeyed must know how to command.”

Consider: Is it better to be feared or loved?

Humanism in the Renaissance.

• intellectual movement

• study of classical literary works

• Application of Greek and Roman values.

• The “humanities” also studied

Humanism inspired the following:

• Schools and education

• New literary works

• New artwork (architecture, painting, sculpting)

• Increased civic participation

• Secular appreciation

Humanist philosophers:

Francesco Petrarca, or Petrarch (1304-1374):

• “father of humanism”• Collected works of

Latin• Wrote in both Latin

and Italian languages

Castiglione’s The Book of the Courtier:

• Guide for aristocrats

• Outlined characteristics of a courtier

• Highlighted by etiquette training

Can the concepts outlined by Machiavelli and

Castiglione be applied simultaneously in

Renaissance Italy? Why/why not?

Humanist philosophers:Lorenzo Valla (1407-1457):

• Gifted writer and scholar of classical Latin

• Studied characteristics of Latin across centuries

• Donation of Constantine a hoax

What are the pros and cons of writing in Latin

(the humanist’s preference) rather than

writing in the vernacular?

Why did the Renaissance disappear?

• Nation states

• Too easygoing?

• Fighting over city-states

• Division among city-states

Tonight, as you are reading the primary sources (pages 5-9),

please respond to the following on loose notebook:

“Why does Machiavelli recommend a prince be able to

break away from honorable qualities?”