Humanism and the Italian Renaissance

The Renaissance

Rebirth, from the words “re” and “nascere

High Renaissance

1450-1527. Art flourished during this time

Printing Press

Allowed information to spread more quickly and was significant to. Christianity because the Bible was able to be printed faster. 1454, Gutenberg experiments with movable type; 1456, Gutenberg Bible, about 180 copies made

Papal States

Properties, states, and countries that belonged to the Pope

The Values

Humanism, Individualism, Secularism

The Vehicles

Commerce and Invention

Humanism

Study of humanity; studia humanitiatis; coined by Cicero

Classics

Prominent works of Greek, Roman, and Biblical literature

St. Basil the Great

Bishop of the Theologian; address to young men on the use of Greek literature

St. Thomas Aquinas

Summa Theoligica; attempt to reconcile Aristotle’s teachings with Christian teaching

Pertrach

Father of humanism; the first tourist; recovered crumbling Latin texts, including Cicero’s works

Dark Ages

Era of disease and famine; frequent due to lack of healthcare and death due to starvation

Fall of Constantinople

Turks close Christian universities, Greek scholars flee to Italy with ancient texts; Plato’s complete works translated into Latin for the first time.

Pico della Mirandola

Oration of the dignity of man, the manifesto of the Renaissance

Syncretism

Practice of combining different beliefs and various schools of thought, merging several originally discreet traditions

Secularism

Not associated with the church; although Petrarch and Renaissance humanists were devout Christians, they studied the the classics for his own enjoyment and edification; doesn’t imply anti-religious or irreligious mindset

Canzoniere

Collection of Petrarch’s vernacular poetry; mostly sonnets and mostly to Laura

Machiavelli

The Prince, advice to rulers

Baldassere Castiglione

The Book of the Courtier; a guide on how to be a respectable gentleman

Ursury

Lending money with interest; prohibited by RCC during Middle Ages

Medici Family

Prominent in Florence, Italy; Medici bank, patrons of the arts