HIST 103 flashcards

The Black Death

A bacterial infection that killed 50-70% of Europe's population between 1347-1351, leading to a focus on human life and a more secular worldview.

Humanism

A Renaissance cultural movement that emphasized human potential and achievements, drawing inspiration from classical antiquity.

Florence

The Mother City of the Renaissance, known for its social mobility and focus on secularization.

Boccaccio

Italian writer who wrote about the city of Florence; influenced later works, including those of Shakespeare.

Dante

An early Italian poet who wrote 'Inferno', focusing on themes of damnation and the divine.

Double-entry accounting

A system of bookkeeping that records each transaction in two accounts; essential for financial management.

Neoplatonism

A philosophical system that reinterprets Plato’s ideas, emphasizing that earthly achievements can reflect divine beauty.

Machiavelli

Political theorist known for his works on power, corruption, and statecraft, particularly 'The Prince' and 'Discourses on Livy'.

Philology

The study of language in historical texts, crucial for the Renaissance humanists' interest in retrieving and preserving ancient writings.

The Medici

A powerful banking family in Florence that played a significant role in the patronage of the Renaissance arts and politics.

Civil humanism

An ideology that blends humanist ideas with civic engagement, emphasizing the importance of active participation in public life.

Cicero

A Roman statesman and philosopher whose ideas on morality and rhetoric greatly influenced Renaissance humanist thought.

The Pazzi Conspiracy

An unsuccessful plot to assassinate Lorenzo de' Medici in 1478, reflecting the political tensions of the era.

Indulgences

Payments made to the church believed to reduce punishment for sins, criticized by figures like Martin Luther.

Columbus

An Italian explorer whose 1492 voyage led to the European discovery of the Americas; initially sought a westward route to Asia.

Renaissance Art

Art that reflects a revival of classical themes and humanistic ideals, emphasizing realism and human emotion.

Machiavelli's 'The Prince'

A political treatise analyzing the pragmatic use of power and the nature of political leadership during the Renaissance.

Alchemy

A medieval chemical philosophy aiming to transform base metals into gold and discover the elixir of life; it laid the groundwork for modern chemistry.

Marco Polo

A Venetian merchant and explorer whose travels to Asia inspired a greater interest in exploration and trade in Europe.

Johannes Gutenberg

Inventor of the printing press around 1440, which revolutionized the spread of information and literature during the Renaissance.

Rhetoric

The art of persuasion and effective communication, central to humanist education and practice in Renaissance thought.

El Escorial

A historical site in Spain built by King Philip II, reflecting Renaissance architecture and the power of the Spanish monarchy.