1. Aim: Explain the conditions in Italy that gave rise to the Renaissance?

2. Italy’s Advantages
: Movement in Italy
Explosion of creativity in art, writing, and thought
This period called The Renaissance
Term means rebirth
Refers to revival of art and learning
Educated men and women of Italy hoped to bring back to life culture of classical Greece and Rome
Renaissance spreads to rest of Europe
Italy had three advantages that make it birthplace 2

3. (1) Thriving City-States
Overseas trade from Crusades led to growth of city-states in Northern Italy
Region had many towns
Ideal breading ground for intellectual ideas 3

4. (2) Merchants and Medici
Wealthy merchant class developed in Italian City-States
Dominated politics
Succeeded in business
Late 1200’s, city-state of Florence had a republican form of government
Florence came under rule of the Medici
Medici most powerful banking family 4

5. (3) Looking to Greece & Rome
Renaissance scholars looked down on art & literature of Middle Ages
Wanted to return to the learning of the Greeks and Romans
Achieved in several ways
Artists & scholars drew inspiration from ruins of Rome
Studied ancient Latin manuscripts
Studied Christian Manuscripts 5