The Renaissance Begins

What Was the Renaissance?• The Renaissance was the “rebirth” in interest in classical (Greek and Roman) culture

• It began in Italy in the mid 1300s and spread to other parts of Europe in the 1400 and 1500s.

• Merchants and crusaders learned about classical art and writings from the Byzantines and the Muslims

Exploring the Rebirth of Classical Ideas Through Art• Classical art shows

importance of leaders and gods; lifelike but idealized.

• Medieval art taught nonreaders about Christianity; often looked unrealistic

• Renaissance art show importance of people, nature and religion; very realistic and shows perspective (invented by Filippo Brunelleschi)

The Growth of Trade and Commerce

• Centrally located towns became bustling centers of trade, attracting merchants, craftspeople, and customers. Towns also began to provide services for traveling merchants.

• A money-based economy replaced a barter-based economy

The Growth of Trade and Commerce (continued)

• In the 13th century, the Mongol conquests in Asia made it safe for traders to travel the Silk Road to China.

• The tales of the Italian traveler Marco Polo sparked an even greater interest in the East.

The Growth of Trade and Commerce (continued)

• Merchants, craftspeople, and bankers became more important and powerful. They became patrons of the arts and used their wealth to commission art and new buildings and to found universities.

The Growth of Trade and Commerce (continued)

• The new ideas and goods brought from the East renewed people’s interest in ancient Greece and Rome. The new wealth they generated helped to fund a growth in art and learning.

The Influence of Italian City-States• City-states were powerful

cities that ruled the surrounding towns and countryside. They were independent and were often republics governed by elected councils. Sometimes they were ruled by rich merchants, guilds, or powerful families.

The Influence of Italian City-States (continued)

• The Italian city-states became so powerful because their central Mediterranean location lead to them to become booming centers of trade.

The Influence of Italian City-States (continued)

• The city-states wealth encouraged a growth in art and learning. Rich families supported the creation of art, new buildings, and centers of learning, such as universities and hospitals

The Growth of Humanism• Humanists believed that

people could shape their own lives and achieve great things.

• Humanists believed in the worth and potential of all people and that people were basically good.

• Humanists thought that people should enjoy life, as opposed the medieval Catholic Church’s view that life after death was more important than life on earth

The Growth of Humanism (cont.)

• Humanists studied the humanities: ancient art, architecture, government, history, poetry, and language.

The Growth of Humanism (cont.)• People began to change

their ideas about many things, such as government, social standing, and religion. They tried to improve upon the art, buildings, and ideas of the past, which led to new discoveries, new ways of studying things, and new inventions in many areas of life.