1. Major Generalizations Italy Humanism Interest in Classical World Individualism Why in Italy?

2.  Italy’s location and wealthy merchants combine to create the Renaissance.  The re-definition of the universe leads to a new definition of personal identity.  The Classical Period serves as a model for intellectual and cultural development.  Western Europe follow Italy’s lead but adaptations.

4. Florence  1. Florence: republic, influenced by the Medici banking family ruling from behind the scenes.  2. Venice  2. Venice: center of trade and a world power; republic but run by an oligarchy of merchant aristocrats. Papal States  3. Papal States: under the rule of important noble families, Pope Alexander VI and his son Cesare Borgia among them.

5. Milan  4. Milan: republic run by the despotic Sforza family. Kingdom of Naples  5. Kingdom of Naples: all of southern Italy; long disputed by Spanish and French *** Fight for power led to competition with each other, preventing unification against potential foreign enemies.

6.  New definition of man… a view of life that has the individual as it central focus;  "to mankind, mankind is holy“ secularism  Focus on this world…secularism Involvement in civic affairs Individual credit for achievement Curiosity about geographic limits Awareness of manners and morals Interest and involvement in rhetoric, science, medicine, math and understanding human nature Virtu  "Virtu": quality of being a man, successful demonstration of human powers

7.  Dante  Boccaccio  Petrarch  L. Bruni  L. Valla  Pico D. Mirandola  Lorenzo De Medici  Machiavelli  Castiglione  Christine De Pisan