The Renaissance, meaning "rebirth," was fueled by renewed interest in classical texts from ancient Greece and Rome.
It also marked a transition towards a more secular and individualistic worldview.
Renaissance education was characterized by humanism, which prioritized the study of classical history and literature as the cornerstone of education.
Civic humanism, exemplified in the works of Machiavelli and Castiglione, was designed to equip young men for roles in public service.
The growth of trade, coupled with innovations in banking and bookkeeping, generated wealth, leading to the emergence of new commercial elites. Families like the Medici became patrons of renowned Renaissance artists.
Francesco Petrarca, or Petrarch, a 14th-century Italian poet, cultivated a passion for classical texts from ancient Rome.
He traveled across Italy in pursuit of lost classical texts, successfully recovering numerous writings by the ancient Roman philosopher Cicero.
Petrarch is celebrated as the "Father of Humanism" for his pivotal role in revitalizing scholarly interest in classical studies.