what role did italy’s history play in the

What role did Italy’s

HISTORY play in the birth of

the Renaissance?

What role did Geography play in the birth of the Renaissance?

Review• City Harbours & Cities

– Eg. Florence, Venice, Genoa, Naples, Rome• Mountains• Rivers• Climate

What role did Geography play in the birth of the Renaissance?

• Geographical location (in Europe & Mediterranean)

• Italy was near Africa and the Mediterranean Sea• Trade was easier and cheaper for Italy than other

European countries• Muslims that ruled Sicily during the Middle Ages

introduced science, medicine, astronomy from the Arab World

• Wealth led to an artistic boom…

What role did Italy’s HISTORY play in the birth of the Renaissance?

• Greek and Roman history was located in the (same) Mediterranean region

• Great artists, architects, philosophers, dramatists, poets, political thinkers, and historians came from these civilizations.


• Renaissaisance = rebirth• Therefore, Renaissance

artists wanted to revive and renew Greek and Roman cultures.


• Renaissance artists & architects were inspired by Roman ruins, sculptures, & wall paintings.

• Ancient Greeks and Romans celebrated the beauty of the human forms.

• Medieval art usually had a religious theme.• So…

• Renaissance artists grew less interested in religious art, and more interested in portraying the human body & natural world.


• Writing had also had come from a Christian perspective.

• Renaissance scholars read the writings of the Greeks and Romans in a new way.


Topics: dignity and the potential of the individual:

1. People could shape their lives through their own efforts and talents

2. Questioning and learning were important

3. Human beings should use reason to find truth for themselves

#1: Compare Florence & Venice

1. Research & Read:What pages in Pathways are all about Florence

or Venice?• Florence: 278, 284, 292• Venice: 276 (map), 278, 281, 311 (Chap. 10)


2. Make “skinny” NotesFlorence• P. 278: hub of a major trade route• Went south to Rome & Naples• Went north to Genoa & Venice• Was Italy’s most powerful city


Florence• P. 284: Bankers in Florence had banks all over Europe• Had a powerful economy during Renaissance• Its golden “florin” was the most important currency

in Europe• The Medici family lived in Florence• They were important (in politics and culture) for 300

years• They made money as bankers


3. Re-read notes. 4. Write important differences and similarities. *** Strive for accuracy & detail

what role did italy’s history play in the

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