Italian Renaissance
Renaissance Means rebirth 1350-1550 Greek and Roman worlds Power of church declined Worldly viewpoint developed as wealth increased Individual ability and well rounded person Upper classes more than lower
Okay but where specifically? Milan, Venice, and Florence Prospered from trade with Islam and Mediterranean cultures (Crusades/Black Death) Francesco Sforza Cosimo de’Medici Lorenzo de’ Medici
So what happened? The Medici family “rule” Florence (the first Godfather) 1440 economy declines and Girolamo Savonarola takes over the city Charles VIII (France) sends army of 30,000 to Italy. 30 years a battleground 1527 Spanish troops sack Rome Spain now dominates Italy
Machiavelli Writes the Prince About political power in Western world How rulers get and keep power Power should be based on principle that human nature is self-interested A prince should not act on moral principle but on behalf of state (country)
Society in Renaissance Three social classes Nobles Peasants (85-90%) Towns people Castiglione- Book of the Courtier describes what a perfect Renaissance noble does Arranged marriages father-husband center of family His authority was absolute