Renaissance Vocabulary

Renaissance- the flourishing of art and culture that began in Italy in the 1300s and later spread through the rest of Europe. Literally means “rebirth”

Absolutism -a system of rule in which a monarch or other ruler enjoy unlimited power.

Secular -non-religious, related to concerns of the world.

Printing Press- A machine that transfers lettering or images by contact with various forms of inked surf ace onto paper or similar material fed into it in various ways.

Patron-a wealthy person who supports the arts by sponsoring artists or works of art.

Monarchy- a type of government ruled by a monarch (like a king or queen). Most monarchies are hereditary. This means that when the monarch dies, a son, daughter, or other relative becomes the leader.

Middle Ages-The medieval period, or the Middle Ages, was a time in European history before the modern era.

Black Death-Between 1347 and 1351; killed tons of people across Europe.

Humanism-a movement during the Renaissance that focused on the importance of humans.

Westernization -the spread of ideas and values originating in Europe and the Western world.