the renaissance in italy why italy?. the renaissance the rebirth of culture of ancient greece &...
TRANSCRIPT
The Renaissance in Italy
Why Italy?
The Renaissance
• The rebirth of culture of ancient Greece & Rome
• The Renaissance began in Italy, then spread north to the rest of Europe.
• Italy was the birthplace of the Renaissance for several reasons…
Location• The renaissance was marked by a new interest
in the culture of ancient Rome.• Since Italy had been the center of the Roman
Empire, it was a logical place for this new reawakening to begin.
Architectural Remains
• Architectural remains, statues, coins, and inscriptions - all were visible reminders of Roman Grandeur
Survivor• Italy differed from the rest of Europe.
• Its cities survived the Middle Ages.
• The City-states like Florence, Milan, Venice, and Genoa grew into prosperous centers of trade and manufacturing.
Florence• Florence came to symbolize the energy
and brilliance of the Italian Renaissance.
• Like ancient city of Athens, it produced a number of gifted poets, artists, architects, scholars, and scientists in a short span of time.
Florence and the Medici Family• In the 1400s, the Medici Family organized a
successful banking business. They later expanded into wool manufacturing, mining, and other ventures.
• The Medici’s ranked among the richest merchants and bankers in Europe.
• Their wealth and power helped them become Patrons- financial supporters of the arts.
Humanism and New World View
• The Renaissance was a time of creativity and change in many areas – political, social, economic, and cultural.
• Most important were the changes that took place in the way people viewed themselves and their world.
• The Renaissance produced new attitudes toward culture and learning.
• Unlike medieval scholars, who were more likely to focus on life after death, Renaissance thinkers explored the richness and variety of Human experience in the here and now
• There was also a new emphasis individual achievement. The Renaissance Ideal was a person with talent in many fields.
A Spirit of Adventure• The Renaissance supported a spirit of
adventure and a wide-ranging curiosity that led people to explore new worlds.
• Christopher Columbus – Sailed to the Americas
• Nicolaus Copernicus (Polish Scientist) – changed the way people viewed the universe (Heliocentric Universe)
Humanism
• At the heart of the Italian Renaissance was an intellectual movement known as humanism.
• Humanism focused on worldly subjects rather than religious issues.
• Humanists believed education should stimulate the individual’s creative powers…philosophy, history, poetry
Comparison
Middle Ages• “Dark Ages”
• Roman Catholic Church
• Feudalism- Manors
• Gothic Architecture with Gargoyles
• Books written by hand
Renaissance• Rebirth of interest in
Ancient Greece & Rome• Secular (worldly)• Humanism• Cities (instead of
manors)• 3-D perspective
• Printing Press