1. A REBIRTH FOR HUMAN SOCIETY The Renaissance

2. “Rebirth” 1350 – 1550 AD Rededication to the ancient Greek and Roman worlds. Marks a “New Age” Period of European history that began in Italy and spread to the rest of western Europe.

3. Characteristics of Italian Renaissance Mainly an urban society.  City-states dominated the economic, social, and political landscape.  The above, along with the rise in individual wealth among the merchant class, a secular viewpoint of life developed.

4. Characteristics of Italian Renaissance It was an Age of Recovery.  After years of political instability, the decline in Church Power, and the plague, society’s recovery went hand-in-hand with the rebirth of interest in ancient culture.

5. Characteristics of Italian Renaissance A new view of human worth developed.  One’s merit and individual ability was being emphasized more.  “Men can do all things if they will” - Leon Battista Alberti  This new notion created a new social ideal.  Leonardo da Vinci

6. Italian City-States Milan – richest of the city-states. Ruled over by the Visconti, later the Sforza, families. Built a strong central government through force and strong taxation. Venice – a republic, with an elected leader (Doge). Dominated the Mediterranean trade empire. Link between Asia and Europe. Florence – located in the region of Tuscany. Controlled by a wealthy group of merchants who expanded the territory according to their own interests. Ruled over by the Medici family for generations (hiccup with Savonarola)

7. Italian City-States

8. Social Classes of the Renaissance Nobles  No longer a feudal system.  Retained land and title.  Held important political posts, and were advisers to the King.  Were expected to fullfill certain ideals.  The Book of the Courtier by Baldassare Castiglone  Born NOT made. Must show character, grace, and talent.  Must develop two basic skills (i.e. military and arts)  Follow standard of conduct. Show achievement with grace.

9. Social Classes of the Renaissance Peasants and Townspeople –  85 – 90 % of total population.  Free from their feudal bonds, regular folks were free to acquire personal wealth, therefore opening pathways to power and influence within their community.  Patricians = merchants and bankers  Burghers = artisans, shopkeepers, guilders.  Workers = pitiful wages and lives.

10. Renaissance Culture Humanism –  Intellectual movement based on the study of the classics; i.e. literary works of ancient Rome and Greece.  Known as Humanities – grammar, rhetoric, poetry, history, and moral philosophy.  Petrarch – father of humanities. Preached the teachings of these subjects to all. Vernacular Literature –  Humanist emphasis on classical latin led to its widespread use by scholars, lawyers, and theologians.  However, some new authors wrote in vernacular, or in other words…wrote in a way that one might speak.  Divine Comedy – Dante  The Canterbury Tales - Chaucer

11. Education in the Renaissance Humanism had a great influence on how people living during the Renaissance viewed education. At the core of humanist schools were the study of the Liberal Arts, or humanities. These are studied in order to practice wisdom and virtue. Focused not only on the mind, but also the body. Physical fitness was extremely important. Females were largely absent from these schools, however those females that did attend were expected to study history, equine riding, poetry, dancing, singing, and playing the lute. Humanist schools provided the model for the basic education of the European ruling classes until the 20 th century.