Mid term for Italian renaissance

what is the Peace of Constance

a treaty granted by Frederick 1 and his son Henry VI to the members of the lambard league to the state of revillion that had ben going on since 1167

who was involved in the peace of constance

lombard leage and holy roman empire

who was the lombard leauge

coaliton of the north italian cities

what did the peace of constance do

brought an end to conflict between the two since the lombard cities had been resisting imperial control and seeking greater autonomy (self government)

what is the ordinance of justice

set of laws put into place in Florence in 1293

what did the laws of the ordinance of justice do?

aimed to regulate the governance of the city and address growing tensions between wealthy merchant class and the more powerful aristocracy

what counsel was a result of the ordinance of justice

Giustia (justice) a councel enforing laws and fair governance

what did teh council of giustia do?

limits on nobel power, exclusion of corrupt officials, and enhanced popular participation (dstrneghtened the role of the people)

what wasa the main purpose of the ordiance of justice

more power for the people

what happened in 1260

The prime popolo fell (first popular government)

who gained power in 1260

the common people

why did teh primo popolo fall?

1. division between the guelphs and ghibellines

2. batele of montraperti

3. corroption of primo popolo prioritzing wealther merchant families

4. eventual rise of the elite

who were the guelphs

supported the rule of the pope

who were teh ghibilines

supported teh rule of a king/monarchy

who fought the battle of montraperti

between Florence and Siena

Who are the people

artisans

small merchants

lower classes

who are the elite

powerful merchants

nobles

landowners

nights

When did cosimo the medici live

1389-1464

who was cosimo the medici

• major banker

• he founder of the medici dominance

• major patron of arts and humanities

• political influence

• patron of the church

• left lasting cultural legacy thorugh his patronage of arts, philosphy, and architecture

who are the guelphs?

• supporting of papal authority

• influence of pope in italian politics

• they were usually merchants and urban elites

what were guelphs in favor of

local autonomy for cities, as long as it was under spritual leadership of the church

who were ghibellines?

• supporters of the holy roman empire

• sought to strengthen imperial military

• control over italin city states

• authority of emperer

• often associaeted with noble and aristocratic familes

How did Lorenzo retained its power during the regime?

revived classical antiquity (renissance)

• refers to the revival of renewed interest in the arts, philosophy, literature, and culture of ancient Greece and rome

who was lorenzo de medici?

ruler of florence that skillfuly retained power through the combination of politcal strategy patronage and support for the revival of classical culture (son of cosmo the medici)

How did lorenzo retain his power

• patron of the arts

• political savvy ad diplomacy

• control over Florence government

• promoted humanism and classical learning

• control of religious institutions

what were communes

In medieval and early Renaissance Italy, "communes" (or city-states) were independent, self-governing entities that emerged in the 11th and 12th centuries, particularly in central and northern Italy, often leading to territorial expansion and the development of urban planning. 

Short answer: what is the main cause of the fall of the communes in Italy?

The fall was due to a combination of internal conflicts and external pressures:

• Rivalries between noble families 

• Conflict between the popolo and the nobility 

• Rise of the local lords (Signoria) or authoritarian rulers 

• Corruption and inefficiency (The communal government systems became less effective as they faced corruption, political infighting, and a lack of unity, making it easier for strong, charismatic leaders to take control.)

• Imperial influence 

• Foreign invasions and wars 

• Decline in trade and wealth 

• Centralized power 

how did the Signore justified their authority

• signorie=lords/rulers

• Hereditary rule and dynastic legitimacy: authority passed down form within a noble family

• Military defeat:conquered cities/ defeating rivals

• Papal approval: blessing from the pope, allowed them to connect power to the divine

• Protection of the people: provide order and stability, also patronage

While Florence was historically a republic, the Medici family, in particular, acted as de facto Signori without formally abolishing the republic. 

• benefactors of Florence-they funded public works, churches, art, and festivals to gain popular support.

• Many rulers used religion to legitimize their rule.

what did lorenzo do with the arts?

• He used his wealth and influence to support artists, architects, and scholars, helping to shape the cultural landscape of Renaissance Florence (the antiquity)

Funded Art commissions and Architectural Projects

• Sandro Botticelli – Commissioned The Birth of Venus and Primavera.
  

• Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo
  

• Domenico Ghirlandaio – Hired him for frescoes in Florentine chapels.
  

• Expansions of San Lorenzo Church.
  

• Enhancements to Medici Palace.
  

• Support for Brunelleschi’s Dome and other architectural advancements.

Promoting Literature and Education

• Established a Medici library, filled with classical texts and translations, furthering Renaissance learning.
  

what is Impact of Classical conspiracy, one again about the classical antiquity (why italy was the ideal place of classical antiquity)

1. Italy’s Connection to the Roman Empire

2. The survival of classical texts- preserved latin and greek manuscripts, college in bologna, medici made translations of classical texts

3. italian citie states- were wealthy, competitive, and eager to patronize classical art and learning to display their power.

4. The renaissance popes embraced classical ideas 

Why the primo popolo fell?

The Primo Popolo (1250–1260) was Florence's first government led by the "popolo" (common people), which aimed to curb the power of the aristocratic elite. However, it ultimately fell due to a combination of external military defeat, internal factionalism, and the resilience of the traditional nobility.

• Conflict with the Nobility (Ghibellines vs. Guelphs)

• The Primo Popolo was closely aligned with the Guelph faction, which made them enemies of the powerful Ghibelline nobles.

• The Battle of Montaperti (1260)- Florentine army was crushed by a Ghibelline-Sienese alliance.

• The exiled Ghibelline nobility returned and seized power, dismantling the institutions of the Primo Popolo.

• The Holy Roman Empire reasserted control, and the Guelph-dominated government was overthrown.

What was the impact of classical text in the shaping the renaissance?

It introduced the idea that man is the higher bening or a being of intellect through 

1. Art

2. Literature

3. the way people looked at politics

4. architecture.

Literature changed into more intellect and deeper meaning it was a rebirth of ideas

Believed a leader is not one who acts good but who acts effectively

New architecture-gothic architecture, the dome, new fortresses, classical 

Classical texts reshaped Florence, driving the Renaissance through humanism, politics, philosophy, and art. The Medici-sponsored translations and libraries, along with Florentine scholars and artists, ensured that florence was the leading place for literature as everyone in florence was literate leading to advancement 

who was dante?

• helped create the italian language (language came with a new society)

• From latin he created italian

• Bologiana used latin in its university because of the diversity of those studying there

• Dante dignified the language and made a structure out of latin for poems so that his city and people could understand and have access to education thus creating italian

• Son of a rich merchant 

• He was a member of the White Guelphs (white-wanted to be independent from pope, black-loyal to pope)

• the Divine Comedy is an allegorical journey through the afterlife, divided into three parts

Though exiled, Dante became Florence’s greatest literary figure.

why was art important to the renisance?

Art played a pivotal role in the Renaissance, shaping not just culture but society as a whole. Here's a more condensed look:

- Power Through Art and Culture

• The Renaissance elite expressed their individuality through artistic and architectural patronage.
  

• By commissioning great works, they immortalized themselves and demonstrated their cultural superiority.

  Revival of Classical Antiquity:

• Renaissance artists drew inspiration from Greek and Roman art, reviving classical forms, proportions, and ideals. This led to more realistic depictions of the human body and nature.
  
  

Religious and Spiritual Themes:

• Despite the humanistic focus, much of Renaissance art remained centered on religious themes, but with a more human-centered approach, as seen in works like Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel.
  
  

  Scientific and Artistic Innovation:

• Artists like Leonardo da Vinci used science to improve their art, studying anatomy, geometry, and perspective to create more realistic and dynamic works. Linear perspective transformed how depth and space were represented in art.
  
  

  Political and Social Commentary:

• Art was used to convey political messages and comment on society. For example, Michelangelo’s “David” symbolized the Florentine Republic's fight for independence.
  
  Art as Education:

• Art served as a tool for education and spreading knowledge, from biblical stories to philosophical ideas, accessible even to those who were not literate.

what is The city state and the individuality of the elite?

The city state and the individuality of the elite

• Italian city-states were independent republics or oligarchies, where elite families played a crucial role in politics, art, and intellectual life. The elite, often made up of wealthy merchants, bankers, and noble families, used their individual status, patronage, and political influence to shape the Renaissance.

  The Power of the City-State

• Italy was not a unified kingdom; instead, it was divided into powerful, competing city-states, each with its own government and elite rulers.
  
  Key city-states:

  • Florence – A republic controlled by the Medici family.

  • Venice – A powerful maritime oligarchy ruled by the Doge and noble families.

  • Milan – A duchy ruled by the Sforza family.

  • Rome – A papal state, ruled by the Pope (who often came from elite families).

• These cities competed economically, militarily, and culturally, fueling artistic and intellectual developments.

2. The Individuality of the Elite: The Rise of Self-Made Men

• Unlike medieval feudalism, where noble birth determined status, the Renaissance saw the rise of self-made elites:

  • Bankers (like the Medici in Florence), Merchants, and Condottieri 

  • These individuals gained power through wealth, diplomacy, and patronage, rather than just hereditary titles.
    

3. Displaying Power Through Art and Culture

• By commissioning great works, they immortalized themselves and demonstrated their cultural superiority.

• The elite used patronage to shape art, culture, and philosophy.

1492, why is it important?

 Death of Lorenzo de’ Medici (April 8, 1492)

• His death left Florence vulnerable, as his son Piero di Lorenzo de' Medici ("Piero the Unfortunate") was weak and politically incompetent.

• This eventually led to the fall of the Medici rule in Florence (1494).

• The Dominican friar Girolamo Savonarola gained influence after Lorenzo’s death.

• Lorenzo’s death and the Medici’s weakening opened Florence to political upheaval, leading to the rise of republican rule and eventually the return of the Medici in 1512.

• The Renaissance continued, but under shifting political conditions, with figures like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci navigating these changes.

Essay:From comune to Signoria (from lordship to city state)

• the city moved from communal rule (by guilds and citizens) to rule by a dominant elite family (the Medici).

• By 1183, Florence gained independence from the Holy Roman Empire, like many other northern Italian cities.
  

• Government structure:
  

  • The Consuls (early magistrates, replaced later).

  • The Podestà (an appointed external ruler to maintain order).

  • The People’s Captain (Capitano del Popolo) – represented commoners against nobles

  • The Great Council – made up of guild leaders and aristocrats.
    

The Primo Popolo (1250–1260): The First People's Government

• The merchant and guild class (popolo) overthrew noble dominance and created the Primo Popolo government.

• A system based on guild representation was established, strengthening the power of the middle class.

• However, this rule collapsed after the Battle of Montaperti (1260), when Florence was defeated by Siena and Ghibelline forces, leading to a return of aristocratic influence.

  The Ordinances of Justice (1293): Strengthening the Republic

• To limit noble power, Giano della Bella introduced the Ordinances of Justice, which:

  • Excluded nobles (magnates) from government unless they joined a guild.

  • Strengthened the Guild Republic, with leadership from the Signoria, a council of six priors (later expanded to nine).

• Florence was now a guild-based republic, but factional struggles continued.
  
  The Rise of the Signoria (14th–15th Century): Oligarchy and Medici Rule

As Florence grew wealthier, political power concentrated in the hands of elite families:

• In the early 1300s, Florence was a republic, but real power was in the hands of a few wealthy merchant families (like the Albizzi and later the Medici).

• By 1434, Cosimo de’ Medici effectively took control, ruling from behind the scenes through allies in the government.

• This period saw a shift from broad communal rule to oligarchic dominance.
  
  

The Medici as De Facto Lords (1434–1494)

• Cosimo de’ Medici ("Pater Patriae") maintained the illusion of a republic while controlling key institutions.

• Lorenzo the Magnificent (r. 1469–1492) balanced diplomacy, culture, and political control.

• Although Florence remained a "republic", in reality, it was a Medici-controlled Signoria.
  

how did classical text shape italy?

Classical texts, particularly those from ancient Greece and Rome, played a crucial role in shaping Italy during the Renaissance and beyond. Here’s how they influenced the country:

1. Revival of Humanism:

• Classical texts sparked the Humanist movement in Italy, which emphasized the value of individualism, reason, and the human experience. Thinkers like Petrarch and Boccaccio revived Latin and Greek literature, stressing the importance of studying ancient philosophers and writers such as Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero.
  

2. Artistic Influence:

• Renaissance artists were inspired by classical texts and the visual arts of ancient Rome and Greece. Figures like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael studied classical works to understand anatomy, proportions, and perspective, improving the realism and depth of their art..
  
  

3. Political Thought:

• Classical political works influenced Italian political theory and governance. Niccolò Machiavelli drew from Cicero and Plato in his writings, particularly in works like "The Prince", where he examined the nature of power and leadership, applying lessons from the ancient world to Renaissance politics.
  

• The Roman Republic's ideals were often cited as models for governance, especially in city-states like Florence, where republican values were celebrated.
  

4. Philosophy and Education:

• Classical philosophy, particularly the works of Plato and Aristotle, shaped educational systems in Italy. The study of ancient texts formed the basis of university education, and philosophers like Marsilio Ficino and Pico della Mirandola worked to reconcile classical philosophy with Christian theology.
  

• This blending of ancient thought with Christian values had a profound impact on the intellectual climate, promoting critical thinking and intellectual exploration.
  

5. Cultural Identity:

• The rediscovery of classical texts helped Italians see themselves as the inheritors of the Roman Empire. Italy's identity was shaped by the belief that it was the continuation of Roman glory. Renaissance thinkers and artists often saw their work as a revival of Roman culture and sophistication.
  

• The Roman Empire served as a cultural and political model for the Italian city-states, and classical ideals of beauty, order, and balance were adopted across architecture, sculpture, and literature.
  

6. Architecture and Urban Planning:

• Classical texts and the study of ancient Roman architecture inspired Renaissance architects like Brunelleschi, Alberti, and Michelangelo. They incorporated Roman columns, arches, and domes into their designs, creating a new architectural style that emphasized symmetry, proportion, and harmony.