Humanism and the Italian renaissance AP Euro

The renaissance French for “rebirth” High Renaissance 1450-1527 From re (again) and nascere (to be born) High Renaissance 1450-1527 Art flourished most during this period Renaissance transition from Medieval to Modern Europe Awakening of human spirit- feelings and thoughts Not religious or scientific but rather moral and personal Growing lay and secular control of thought and culture, including religion

Growth of Italian city-state Five major city-states evolved: Milan The republics of Florence and Venice The Papal States Kingdom of Naples

City-state Renaissance society took shape within the merchant cities of late medieval Italy During the 13th and 14th centuries, trade-rich cities became powerful city-states, dominating the political and economic life of the surrounding countryside By 15th century, great Italian cities were the bankers of much of Europe A unique urban rich emerged in Italy comprised of the local nobility and new rich The city-states had become independent and prosperous because of the expansion of commerce during the 11th and 12th centuries The Italian peninsula formed a natural point of exchange between East and West

Social class and conflict Florence was an example of social division and anarchy Four social groups of Florence Grandi – the old rich, or nobles, and wealthy merchants who traditionally had ruled the city Popolo grosso (“Fat people”)- the newly rich merchant class, capitalists, and bankers, who began to challenge the old rich for political power Middle burgher ranks of guild masters, shop owners, and professionals, the smaller business people- tended to side with the new rich Popolo Minuto (“little people”)- the lower economic classes Paupers – in 1457, 1/3 of the population of Florence – no wealth at all Ciompi Revolt- great uprising of the poor that occurred in Florence in 1378 Life was unbearable for the lower classes b/c— Feuding between the old rich and new rich Social anarchy created when the Black Death cut the city’s population in half The collapse of great banking families- Bardi and Peruzzi Stability does not return until the Medici family rises in 1434

Florence and the Medici family Florentine banker and statesman, Cosimo de’ Medici takes control in 1434 Family was wealthy from banking and the manufacture and commerce of textiles Cosimo banished prominent members of the most powerful rival clans Florentine nobles generally accepted Medici rule because stability contributed to prosperity Signoria- a council of first six and later 8 members governed the city- these men were chosen from the most powerful guilds, mainly those representing the major clothing industries (cloth, wool, fur, and silk) and such other groups as bankers, judges, and doctors

Despotism in Renaissance Italy Cosimo’s grandson- Lorenzo the Magnificent- ruled Florence in a totalitarian fashion during the last quarter of the 15th century Oligarchies hired strongmen or despots known as Podesta to maintain law and order Condottieri- military brokers who sent mercenary armies who were hired by the despots of the different city-states Lorenzo’s brother had been assassinated by a rival family, the Pazzi, who had plotted with the pope against the Medicis which made Lorenzo a cautious ruler * since the despots could not rely on the loyalty of their divided populace, they relied on mercenaries who were contracted through the condottieri Whether within the comparatively tranquil republic of Venice, the strong-arm democracy of Florence, or the undisguised despotism of Milan, the disciplined Italian city proved congenial climate for an unprecedented flowering of thought and culture. Italian Renaissance culture was promoted as vigorously by despots as by republicans and as enthusiastically by secularized popes as by the more spiritually minded. Such widespread support occurred because the main requirement for patronage of the arts and letters was the one thing Italian cities of the High Renaissance had in abundance – great wealth

Understanding the renaissance The Values: Humanism Individualism Secularism

Humanism “the study of humanity” Scholars debate on meaning of humanism Humanism is the birth of modernity, driven by an anti-Christian philosophy that stressed the dignity of humankind, individual, and secularism Humanists as the champions of Catholic Christianity, opposing the pagan teachings of Aristotle Humanism is a form of historic scholarship adopted to promote a sense of civic responsibility and political liberty Some historians believe that humanism was not a philosophy or value system, but an educational program built on rhetoric and scholarship

Humanism Humanism emphasized: a) human beings b) human achievements c) human capabilities From studia humanitatis Coined by Cicero- to describe the education of a cultivated human being Cicero considered this important for anyone who considered himself civilized

Humanists Humanists turned their backs on medieval scholasticism— they believed it was irrelevant Proclaimed the writers of antiquity to be heroes worthy of emulation Humanism stood as an alternative approach to knowledge and culture Teach the “art of living” Believed the period between themselves and classical civilization was a “dark middle age”

Humanism First humanists were orators and poets, wrote literature in classical languages and vernacular, taught rhetoric and grammar at universities, and worked at princely courts as secretaries, speechwriters, and diplomats Early humanists- Petrarch- father of humanism Dante Alighieri Boccaccio

Petrarch – father of humanism Celebrated ancient Rome in his Letters to the Ancient Dead Wrote letters to Cicero, Livy, Vergil, and Horace Most famous contemporary work- collection of love sonnets to Laura a married woman he admired Classical and Christian values coexist uneasily in his work However he was far more secular than his counterpart– Dante (Divine Comedy) Boccaccio was his student and friend and also a pioneer of humanist studies

Educational reforms and goals Humanists were innovative educators Kept constantly looking for new sources of information In this search they assembled magnificent manuscript collections, treating them as potent medicines for the ills of society, capable of enlightening the minds of anyone who read them Goal: Wisdom eloquently spoken, both knowledge of the good and the ability to move others to desire it Learning is not supposed to be abstract or unpracticed Learning ennobled people

Humanistic studies not confined to classroom…. Baldassare Castiglione’s Book of Courtier Illustrates that the rediscovered knowledge of the past was a model and challenge for the present Wrote a practical guide for nobility The successful courtier is one who knows how to integrate knowledge of ancient languages and history with athletic, military, and musical skills, while at the same time practicing good manners and exhibiting a high moral character

Noblewomen Privileged, educated, noblewomen also promoted new education and culture Christine de Pisan – Italian born, astrologer of French king Charles V Became an expert in classical, French, and Italian languages The Treasure of the City of Ladies – chronical of accomplishments of great women

Florentine Academy and Platonism Renaissance scholars embraced the Greek scholar Plato Platonism appealed to Renaissance scholars due to its flattering view of human nature Pico’s Oration on the Dignity of Man is influenced by Platonism Perhaps the most famous Renaissance statement on the nature of humankind Depicts human beings as the only creatures capable of controlling their own destiny- capable of rising to the level of angels but also just as quickly wallowing with pigs Cosimo de Medici provided the patronage to create the Florentine Platonic Academy Not an actual school, but rather an informal gathering of Renaissance humanists devoted to Plato

Civic humanism Idea that education should promote individual virtue and public service Idea of being well-rounded Best examples in Florence- three humanists served as chancellors of the city Leonardo Bruni- an intellectual and statesman