Chapter 1 - Section 1

 Classical Age (700 B.C.-476 A.D.)  Middle Age (Medieval Period )  Modern Age- begins with the Renaissance (1300-modern day)

 800 B.C. (Before Christ) – 476 A.D. ( Anno Domini {In the year of our Lord or after the birth of Christ})  Began in Greece and spread to Rome and then throughout Europe  The Civilization is marked by beautiful works of art and architecture, beliefs in the potential of Man, Ideas of freedom and democracy, and advances in the sciences

 Begins 476 A.D. With the fall of the Roman Empire  Ends around 1300 A.D. with the beginning of the Renaissance  Occurred throughout Europe.  The Middle Ages are broken into Two parts:  The Early Middle Ages from 476 A.D. to about 1000A.D.  Te High Middle Ages from 1000 A.D. to about 1300 A.D.  The Middle Ages are marked by chaos, a lack of organized government, decreased trade, lawlessness, increased warfare, a loss of Classic Ideals, and a decrease in the level of art

 The modern age brings “rebirth” of classical culture.  This “rebirth” is known as the Renaissance.  This “rebirth” begin in Italy.

 The Renaissance is a “rebirth” of the Classics.  Relating to you: Would you go back 100 years when there was no indoor bathrooms, no electricity, no equal rights, and no modern conveniences?  Why then would the modern thinkers of the 1300’s want to return a thousand years to the culture of the Classical Age?

 The Renaissance sees its beginnings in Italy.  Why Italy?  Center of trade in Europe  Very urban- breeding ground for new ideas  Center of the old Roman Empire - Ancient Ruins everywhere  Had the wealth needed for an artistic and intellectual movement.  A patron family, the Medici family, that supported the Arts.

 1. Rise of Wealth through renewed trade with the East  2. Large City-States sold specialized products  Milan – Metal goods  Venice – Asian goods  Florence – Banks  3. European monarchs & nobles took loans from Florentine bankers  4. Political isolation of Italy

 Strong industry (even after the Black Death)  Sold luxury items from the East.  Sold insurance  Created banks for loans and currency  A patron family, the Medici family, that supported the Arts.

1. Antiquities:  Renaissance brought a renewed interest in the learning of Greece & Rome.  There was a belief that the Classics could help in problem solving.  Renaissance artwork found inspiration in artwork from the Greeks

2. Individualism  Emphasized individual achievement and that people could be talented in many areas  Believed in a spirit of adventure & experimentation – this encouraged people to explore new things.

3. Learning  Believed education would stimulate the mind.  Humanism: an Intellectual movement that stressed the importance of education  Study of the Humanities - grammar, history, rhetoric, language & poetry  Relied on human experiences to expand one’s education.

4. Secularism / Worldliness  Involved a move away from a God centered world  Included a strong desire to accumulate wealth  Themes of Renaissance art extended beyond religious subject matter

5. Reform:  Many wanted to reform the abuses of the Medieval Roman Catholic Church  Wanted to see reform to church doctrine or beliefs  This led to the Protestant Reformation