Renaissance and Reformation Vocabulary

Mercenary

A soldier who fights primarily for pay

Republic

Form of government in which the leader is not a king and certain citizens have the right to vote

Humanism

An intellectual movement of the Renaissance based on the study of the humanities

Vernacular

The language of everyday speech in a particular region

Fresco

Painting done on fresh, wet plaster with water-based paints

Perspective

Artistic techniques used to give the effect of three-dimensional depth to two-dimensional surfaces

Christian humanism

Movement combining classical learning and individualism to reform the Catholic Church

Salvation

The state of being saved (going to heaven) through faith alone or faith and good works

Indulgence

A release from all or part of punishment for sin by the Catholic Church

Lutheranism

First Protestant faith, developed by Martin Luther; salvation achieved by faith alone

Justification

Process of being justified, or deemed worthy of salvation, by God

Predestination

Belief that God has determined in advance who will be saved and who will be damned

Ghettos

Formerly a district in a city in which Jews were required to live

Patron

A person or organization that provides financial support for artists, writers, and scholars

Simony

The selling of Church offices