Transcript Introduction to the Renaissance

Chapter 1 - Section 1
NOTES #1: THE RENAISSANCE IN ITALY
THE THREE AGES
Classical Age (700 B.C.-476 A.D.)
 Middle Age (Medieval Period 476-1300)
 Modern Age- begins with the Renaissance
(1300-modern day)

THE FIRST AGE – THE CLASSICAL AGE

800 B.C. (Before Christ) – 476
A.D. ( Anno Domini {In the year
of our Lord or after the birth of
Christ})

Began in Greece and spread to
Rome and then throughout
Europe

The Civilization is marked by
beautiful works of art and
architecture, beliefs in the
potential of Man, Ideas of
freedom and democracy, and
advances in the sciences
THE SECOND AGE – THE MIDDLES AGES
MEDIEVAL PERIOD




Begins 476 A.D. With the fall of the
Roman Empire
Ends around 1300 A.D. with the
beginning of the Renaissance
Occurred throughout Europe.
The Middle Ages are broken into
Two parts:



The Early Middle Ages from 476 A.D. to
about 1000A.D.
Te High Middle Ages from 1000 A.D. to
about 1300 A.D.
The Middle Ages are marked by
chaos, a lack of organized
government, decreased trade,
lawlessness, increased warfare, a
loss of Classic Ideals, and a
decrease in the level of art
MODERN AGE

The modern age brings
“rebirth” of classical culture.

This “rebirth” is known as the
Renaissance.

This “rebirth” begin in Italy.
BRAIN BREAK: THINK – PAIR – SHARE
The Renaissance is a “rebirth” of the Classics.
 Relating to you: Would you go back 100 years
when there was no indoor bathrooms, no
electricity, no equal rights, and no modern
conveniences?
 Why then would the modern thinkers of the
1300’s want to return a thousand years to the
culture of the Classical Age?

WHY ITALY?


The Renaissance sees its
beginnings in Italy.
Why Italy?





Center of trade in Europe
Very urban- breeding ground for
new ideas
Center of the old Roman Empire Ancient Ruins everywhere
Had the wealth needed for an
artistic and intellectual movement.
A patron family, the Medici family,
that supported the Arts.
WHY WERE ITALIAN CITY-STATES SO RICH AND
POWERFUL AROUND 1300 A.D.?
1. Rise of Wealth through renewed trade with
the East
 2. Large City-States sold specialized products




Milan – Metal goods
Venice – Asian goods
Florence – Banks
3. European monarchs & nobles took loans
from Florentine bankers
 4. Political isolation of Italy

HOW DID FLORENCE BECOME THE MOST
INFLUENTIAL CITY-STATE?
 Strong
industry (even after the Black
Death)
 Sold luxury items from the East.
 Sold insurance
 Created banks for loans and currency
 A patron family, the Medici family, that
supported the Arts.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RENAISSANCE:
1. Antiquities:
 Renaissance
brought a renewed interest in the
learning of Greece & Rome.
 There
was a belief that the Classics could help in
problem solving.
 Renaissance
artwork found inspiration in artwork
from the Greeks
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RENAISSANCE:
2. Individualism
 Emphasized
individual achievement and that
people could be talented in many areas
 Believed
in a spirit of adventure & experimentation
– this encouraged people to explore new things.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RENAISSANCE:
3. Learning
 Believed
education would stimulate the mind.
 Humanism:
an Intellectual movement that stressed
the importance of education
 Study
of the Humanities - grammar, history, rhetoric,
language & poetry
 Relied
on human experiences to expand one’s
education.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RENAISSANCE:
4. Secularism / Worldliness
 Involved
a move away from a God centered world
 Included
a strong desire to accumulate wealth
 Themes
of Renaissance art extended beyond
religious subject matter
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE RENAISSANCE
5. Reform:
 Many
wanted to reform the abuses of the Medieval
Roman Catholic Church
 Wanted
 This
to see reform to church doctrine or beliefs
led to the Protestant Reformation