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The Decameron by Giovanni Boccaccio
This masterpiece offers a first-hand description of the devastation of
the Black Death on the city of Florence. It tells the story of ten young
friends trying to hide from the plague. It was written in vernacular
Italian, not Latin.
Autobiography by Benvenuto Cellini
A boastful work by a leading artist that captured the Renaissance
celebration of individualism. It offers the powerful assertion that “Man
can do all things” that sums up a new confidence in man’s potential.
Oration on the Dignity of Man by Pico della Mirandola
compared every
known religious and philosophical tradition looking for universal truths
embraced by all humanity. It was seen as an attack on the primacy of
Christian thought.
The Courtier by Baldassare Castiglione
This is a work about etiquette and manners. He believed that
the Renaissance was a unique age in need of new etiquette. He
argued that the modern man, a “Renaissance Man,” must combine
traditional males virtues with education and artistic talents.
The Prince by Niccolo Machiavelli
He worked for the Medici government in Florence. This
masterpiece of political science described the qualities of the ideal
ruler arguing that he cannot be limited by Christian morality and that
the “ends justify the means” and “it is better to be feared than loved.”
In Praise of Human Folly by Erasmus
A Christian Humanist work that used satire and humor to mock certain
practices of medieval Catholicism, such as veneration of saint’s relics,
in hopes of provoking reform within the Church.
Education of a Christian Prince by Erasmus
Some view this as a response to Machiavelli’s The Prince, in which
he argues that the very goal of any ruler should be to imitate the
example of Christ to love your neighbor.
Book of the City of Ladies by Christine de Pizan
Written in French by a female author, the work is considered one of the
first pieces of feminist literature. She argues that women are evry
bit as capable as men if only given an education and an opportunity.
Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women by John Knox
Written by a powerful Scottish religious and political figure, the work
attacked the notion of women ruling over nations. He said this went
against God’s law. He attacked powerful female rulers such as Mary,
Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I of England, and Catherine de Medici of
France.
Marco Polo’s Journey by Marco Polo
Published after his return from his epic excursion to China, the work
described the sights he encountered on his travels and the remarkable
life he lived in medieval China. His work inspired others to explore the
globe.
Essays by Michel de Montaigne
This philosophical work made the radical assertion that each culture
possessed its own unique norms and that while different than
European culture they were not inferior, just different. It is the
foundation of cultural relativism.
Othello by William Shakespeare
One of his greatest tragedies, this play’s lead character is
a complex and fully developed man who happens to be dark skinned.
It is one of the first sympathetic depictions of a black person in
European literature.
In Praise of Human Folly by Erasmus
A christian humanist work that used satire and humor to mock certain practices of medieval Catholicism, such as veneration of saint’s relics, in hopes of provoking reform within the church
95 Theses by Martin Luther
A collection of 95 arguments against the Catholic teachings on the role of good works in salvation. Originally written in Latin in hopes of provoking a discussion among Catholic clergy about indulgences, it triggered the Reformation.
The Babylonian Captivity by Martin Luther
This work marked _____ final break from the Catholic Church. In the text he denounced the pope as an Antichrist and the Church as the whore of Babylon
Against the Robbing and Murdering Hordes of Peasants by Martin Luther
In the face of the violent peasant uprisings in Germany, _____ was forced to choose between support of the peasants and support of the ruling class. Using the bible, he denounced the peasant revolt and social disorder. This decision earned the support and protection of the princes.
Institutes of the Christian Religion by John Calvin
This is considered the most important work of early Protestant theology. In the text, ___ explains his belief in predestination and describes a simple and efficient way to organize Protestant faith and communities.
Against the Monstrous Regiment of Women by John Knox
Written by a powerful Scottish religious and political figure, the work attacked the notion of women ruling over nations. He said this went against God’s law. He attacked powerful female rulers such as Mary, Queen of Scots, Elizabeth I of England, and Catherine de Medici of France.
The Book of Common Prayer by multiple authors
This beautiful collection of English language prayers and hymns is used only by the Anglican faith.
The Spiritual Exercises by Ignatius of Loyola
This is a work of Catholic religious thought and includes spiritual actions a person can undertake to strengthen their faith.
In Defense of the Seven Sacraments by Henry VIII
contained a strong argument in support of the teachings of the Catholic Faith. The author was to turn against the church.
The Republic by Jean Bodin
This author was devastated by the horrors and destruction of the French Wars of Religion. In this political work, he argued in favor of an absolute monarchy as the best protection against chaos.
The True Law of Free Monarchs by King James I
The author argued that God chooses kings to rule over nations. He used biblical examples to support absolute monarchy.
The Leviathan by Thomas Hobbes
He was hurt by the devastation of the English Civil War and believed that a strong, all-powerful monarch was the best protection against chaos. But, his most important contribution to political thought is his belief in the “social contract,” an unwritten agreement between the people and the government.
Of Civil Government by John Locke
The author believed the people have the right to break the contract if they are unhappy with the king. He argued that people possess “natural rights; including “life, liberty, and property.” He also believed that people have a “right to revolt.”
On the Revolutions of Heavenly Bodies by nicolaus Copernicus
Astronomical work that used mathematics to assert that the earth revolved around the sun, not the sun around the earth. It was the first modern argument for the heliocentric theory. It was published after the author’s death.
New Astronomy by Johannes Kepler
This astronomy text by a German mathematician used very complex
math equations to prove that heavenly objects revolve in elliptical
orbits. This made the heliocentric theory work.
The Starry Messenger by Galileo Galilei
This text is filled with the descriptions and drawings of the author’s
telescopic observations, such as the lunar surface, canals on Mars,
Jovian moons, and sunspots.
Dialogue Concerning the Two Chief World Systems by Galileo Galilei
This scientific work offered a side-by-side comparison of both the
geocentric and heliocentric theories. From the weight of evidence, it
was clear that the heliocentric theory was more supported by evidence.
Principia by Isaac Newton
This is considered to be one of the most important scientific works ever
written. It explains many of his most important discoveries
including his Third Law of Motion, theory of gravity, and universal laws.
On the Fabric of the Human Body by Andreas Vesalius
This anatomical work contained beautiful drawings of the human body,
most based on dissections. It was the first work of anatomy published
since antiquity. It was used as a medical school text for centuries.
On The Motion of the Heart and Blood by William Harvey
This important medical text explained the circulatory system and how
blood moves in the body. It mapped the vein and artery system and
explained the role of the heart and lungs.
Metamorphosis of the Insects of Surinam by Maria Marian
This work of entomology contains beautiful drawings and descriptions
of the insects of Surinam, a Dutch colony in South America. It was
written by a female entomologist.
Letters on Turkey by Mary Montague
Written by the wife of a British diplomat stationed in Constantinople,
the work is filled with her detailed observations of life in the Ottoman
capital. One of its most significant passages describes a crude form of
smallpox inoculation.
Discourse on Method by Rene Descartes
Important philosophical work in which the author argues that all
knowledge must begin with doubt. He believed that one should
approach every question with no preconceived notion of the answer
and with an open mind. Famous for the statement, “Cogito ergo sum.”
(I think, therefore I am).
New Instrument by Francis Bacon
Philosophic work that asserts that true knowledge must be based on
empirical evidence. He is considered the Father of the Scientific
Method, which is included in the work.
Cook’s Travels by Captain Cook
This biography was written by one of Britain’s greatest explorers and
describes many of the things he observed on his first of three lengthy
voyages across the Pacific. He landed in Australia, explored the coast
of North America as far as the Arctic, and discovered many Pacific
Islands. He had great respect for the native cultures he encountered.
On the Different Races of Men by Immanuel Kant
He was a very respected Enlightenment philosopher, but one who
held extremely racist views of non-Europeans. He divided humanity
into four racial groups (white Europeans, yellow Asians, black Africans,
and red Americans) and argued Europeans were superior.
Supplement to Bougainville’s Voyage by Denis Diderot
The author compared “civilized” European society to the supposedly
“uncivilized” society of Tahiti discovered by the French explorer,
Bougainville. He argues that the simple, more natural society found in
so-called primitive cultures was more truly free and just than Europe.
Encyclopedia by Denis Diderot
This epic project took over 20 years to complete and included 24
volumes. It was meant to be a compilation of all human knowledge
and focused heavily on philosophy and science.
Spirit of the Laws by Baron Montesquieu
Influential political work by a French philosophe in which he argued
that all governmental power should be divided (separation of power) to
prevent absolutism and tyranny. Very influential on the American
founding fathers.
Philosophical Letters on the English by Voltaire
Written while living in exile in England, it is a tribute to the freedoms of speech, press, and religion the author admired in England and argued that France lacked.
The Social Contract by Rousseau
This was a revolutionary political work that argued that the people are
the source of all power (popular sovereignty) and that hereditary
monarchy is illegitimate. The author believed that all laws must reflect
the “general will” (the support of the people). It advocated democracy.
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith
The most influential economics text ever written, the author argued in favor
of free trade and economic capitalism. He was an influential
physiocrat and opponent of mercantilism. He believed there are
natural laws in economics, such as “supply and demand.”
Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft
This was a powerful endorsement of the idea of equal rights for
women. The author argued that both men and women possess the
same power of reason and therefore each are equally capable if given
the same education.
What is the Third Estate? by Abbe Sieyes
A pamphlet written by a French clergyman who had sympathies with the common people. He argued that the common people were the real France, not the nobility or even the Church. It inspired many people.
Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen by National Assembly
This is the first constitution of France. It was written by a group of delegates from the National Assembly. It promised basic human rights like free speech, free press, and freedom of religion.
Declaration of the Rights of Women by Olympe de Gouges
The female author was angry that the Declaration of the Rights of Men seemed to leave the women of France out. She argued that since women paid the same taxes, obeyed the same laws, and were punished the same way, they should have the same privileges.
Reflections on the Revolution in France by Edmund Burke
This British work is the foundation of conservatism. He argued that the Revolution was too extreme and that no single generation had the right to destroy the work done by all previous generations.
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