Renaissance

A series of vocabulary flashcards to aid in reviewing key concepts from AP European History focused on Chapter 12 regarding European Society during the Renaissance.

Renaissance

A movement that marked the transition from the Middle Ages to the modern era, characterized by a revival of classical learning and values.

Humanism

A program of study focused on the critical study of Latin and Greek literature aimed at understanding human nature.

Condottieri

Military leaders in Renaissance Italy who were hired by city-states to maintain order and control.

Oligarchy

A government structure where a small group of powerful individuals, often wealthy merchants or aristocrats, hold power.

Patronage

The support given by wealthy individuals or groups to artists and writers, enabling them to produce their works.

Civic Humanism

A belief that educated individuals should engage in political affairs and contribute to the common good.

The Prince

A political treatise by Machiavelli that provides advice on political leadership and the nature of power.

Christian Humanism

A movement that synthesized classical and Christian teachings, emphasizing moral improvement and the betterment of society.

Printing Press

An invention by Johann Gutenberg that revolutionized the spread of information and ideas during the Renaissance.

Virtù

The quality of having the ability to shape the world around one's own will, often associated with Renaissance humanism.

Signori

Rulers in Italian city-states who held power and often passed it down to their heirs.

Utopia

A book by Thomas More describing an ideal society free of conflict, featuring radical social and economic reforms.

Scholastics

Philosophers and theologians from the Middle Ages who sought to reconcile faith with reason.

Machiavellian

Describes political cunning and ruthlessness, derived from Machiavelli's teachings on maintaining power.

Georgio Vasari

An Italian painter and art historian, he is known for his biographies of Renaissance artists in "The Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects." He coined the term “Renaissance.” He played a key role in documenting the achievements of artists such as Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo.

Florence

A city in Italy that was the birthplace of the Renaissance, known for its art, culture, and influence in the 14th to 16th centuries. Florence has a favorable location along the Arno River, and merchants loaned and invested money to make profit that was sent back to Florence.

Sforza family

A noble family that harshly ruled Milan during the Renaissance, known for their patronage of the arts and military prowess.

Medici banking family

An influential family in Florence, known for their significant contributions to the arts and politics during the Renaissance, including the patronage of artists like Michelangelo and Botticelli. Ruled Florence for three centuries.

Girolamo Savonarola

A Dominican friar who believed the French invasion was a punishment from God. This led to the expulsion of the Medici dynasty and welcomed him as the new leader of Florence. However, people got tired of his strict morals and denunciations, thus leading him to be burned alive.

Leonardo Bruni

An Italian humanist and historian, known for synthesizing Plato with the Bible.

Platonic Academy

A philosophical school founded in Florence that focused on the teachings of Plato, influencing Renaissance thought and culture. Founded by Leonardo Bruni.

Giovanni Pico della Mirandolla

An Italian Renaissance philosopher known for his work "Oration on the Dignity of Man," which is considered a manifesto of Renaissance humanism, emphasizing individual potential and the harmony of various philosophical traditions.

Individualism

The belief in the importance of the individual and personal autonomy, emphasizing self-reliance and individual achievements, particularly in art and philosophy during the Renaissance.

Christian Humanism

A Renaissance movement that combined Christian faith with classical humanist principles, emphasizing the potential for human beings to achieve moral and intellectual growth through education.

Erasmus

A Dutch Christian humanist who played a key role in the Northern Renaissance criticizing church practices and promoting reform.

The Praise of Folly

A satirical work by Erasmus that critiques the corrupt practices within the Church and society, advocating for a more genuine Christian faith.

Thomas More

A English lawyer, social philosopher, and statesman, known for his book "Utopia" which describes an ideal society and critiques contemporary European society.

New topics and styles seen in Renaissance art

Included perspective, classical themes, religious themes, bright colors, realism (portraying the human body accurately), individualism, and naturalism.