Age of the renaissance powerpoint presentation

The Age of the

Renaissa

nceBy: HBRJR

A great burst of creativity began in Italy in the 1300’s. Because this

movement centered on a revival of interest in the

classical learning of Greece and Rome, we call

it the Renaissance, a French word meaning

“rebirth”.

Renaissance Writers and Artists

Beginning about the mid-1300’s, a number of Italian scholars, such as Francesco Petrarch, developed a lively interest in classical literature, particularly that of the Romans. These Italian scholars stressed the study of grammar, rhetoric, history, and poetry, using classical texts. We call these studies the humanities; people who specialized in the humanities are called humanists.

Art as well as literature flourished during the Renaissance. The most noticeable characteristic of Renaissance painting, however, is its realism as shown in the works of artists such as Giotto, Masaccio, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, and Raphael.Over time the Renaissance spread beyond Italy. Trade, transportation, and the invention of printing helped this spread.

The Renaissance• Scholars use the term

Renaissance to refer not only to a philosophical and artistic movement, but also to the period during which it flourished. The period of the Renaissance saw many developments, including the invention of the printing press, advances in science, and a new emphasis on reason.

The Renaissance• A renewed interest

in Roman literature and life characterized the Renaissance. In many ways it was natural that this interest would reawaken in Italy. Ruins of the mighty Roman Empire dotted the Italian countryside and served as a constant reminder of past Roman glory. The tradition of Rome as the capital city of a vast empire lived on in the popes, who made Rome the seat of the Roman Catholic Church.

• The Crusades and trade with Africa and the Middle East brought Italians into contact with the Byzantine civilization, whose scholars had preserved much learning from classical Greek and Roman times. Contacts with Africa and the Middle East also introduced new ideas to Europe. Arab and African developments in such disciplines as medicine and science fired the curiosity of many Italian scholars.

The Renaissance• The 16th century was

more than just the story of the Renaissance. The century witnessed the growth of royal power, the appearance of centralized monarchies and the discovery of new lands.

• During the great age of exploration, massive quantities of gold and silver flooded Europe, an event which turned people money-mad.

The Renaissance• The year 1543 can be said

to have marked the origin of the Scientific Revolution.

• This was the year Copernicus published his De Revolutionist, and set in motion a wave of scientific advance that would culminate with Sir Isaac Newton at the end of the 17th century.

• In the meantime, urbanization continued unabated as did the growth of universities.

• And lastly, the printing press, perfected by the moveable type of Gutenberg in 1451 had created the ability to produce books cheaply and in more quantities.

• This was important since the Renaissance created a literate public eager for whatever came off the presses.

The Protestant Reformation

Despite all of these things, and there are more things to be

considered, especially in the area of literature and the arts, the

greatest event of the 16th century and perhaps the most revolutionary

event was the Protestant Reformation. It was the

Reformation that forced people to make a choice – to be either

Catholic or Protestant. This was an important choice, and a choice had

to be made. There was no real alternative. In the context of the religious wars of the 16th and 17th

centuries, one could live or die based on such a choice.

“So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and hell, tell him this: "I admit that I deserve death and hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction on my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!” Martin Luther

“No man is excluded from calling upon God, the gate of salvation is set open unto all men: neither is there any other thing which keepeth us back from entering in, save only our own unbelief.” John Calvin

The Protestant Reformation

The RenaissanceThe 16th century in Europe was a great century of change on many fronts. The

humanists and artists of the Renaissance would help characterize the age as one of

individualism and self-creativity. Humanists such as Petrarch helped restore

the dignity of mankind while men like Machiavelli injected humanism into

politics. When all is said and done, the Renaissance helped to secularize

European society. Man was now the creator of his own destiny. In other words,

the Renaissance unleashed the very powerful notion that man makes his own

history.

Renaissance Review Questions:

• What does the French word Renaissance mean?• What were scholars called who stressed the

study of grammar, rhetoric, history and poetry using classical texts?

• These wars and trade with the middle east brought Europe into contact with the Byzantine civilization?

• This invention by Johann Gutenberg created the ability to produce books cheaply and in more quantity?

• Which two men led the Protestant Reformation in Europe?