1. Renaissance

2. Renaissance The word Renaissance means rebirth
The Italians between 1350 and 1550 believed they had witnessed a rebirth of classical antiquity

3. What is classical antiquity?
The world (literature, art, architecture, etc.) of the ancient Greeks and Romans!

4. Italian Renaissance
Renaissance begins in Italy… why?

5. Italian Renaissance
Italy was a largely urban society made up of powerful city states
A secular or worldly spirit emerged as many Italians began to enjoy day to day activities

6. Italian Renaissance Day to day activities: Theater Education/ School
Art
Discussion of politics
Participate in the world around…

7. Italian Renaissance Also an Age of Recovery Began to recover from:
The Black Death
Political Disorder
Economic recession

8. Italian Renaissance New view of human beings…
Placed an emphasis on human ability
Called humanism

9. Trends of the Period Renaissance Middle Ages Secular/ individualistic
Focus on humans (humanistic)
Urban
Experience/ observation
Active in the world
Art glorified humans
Middle Ages
Religious & community
Focus on God (theocentric)
Agricultural/ rural
Reason & logic
Highest form of existence = monk
Art glorified God

10. Italian States
During the Middle Ages, Italy failed to develop a centralized monarchical state
Lack of a strong ruler made it possible for a number of city-states in northern and central Italy to remain independent
Three: Milan, Venice, and Florence were very important

11. Milan

13. Milan Located at the crossroads of the main trade routes
Richest Italian city state
14th cent, members of the Visconti family established themselves as dukes of Milan
In 1447, Francesco Sforza, a dynamic condottiere conquered city and became the new duke

14. Venice

16. Venice Grew rich from trading in the eastern Mediterranean
A small group of merchant-aristocrats (who had become wealthy through trading) ran the government
This is called an oligarchy

17. Florence

18. Florence
A small group of merchants established control of the government (fought wars against their neighbors)
In 1434 Cosmo de’ Medici took control of the city
He “kept” the republican government, but really his family ruled the city