Amendments
What major crises in the late Middle Ages caused Europeans to question old institutions?
War and plague caused Europeans to question institutions that could not stop conflict or relieve suffering.
Who was Cosimo de Medici, and how did he control Florence?
Truth
What does “secular” mean in the context of Renaissance society?
Worldly rather than spiritual; focused on the here and now.
Why is Michelangelo statue of David significant?
It was the first large free-standing nude sculpture in Europe since ancient times.
What did Machiavelli argue in The Prince about whether it is better for a ruler to be loved or feared?
He argued it is safer to be feared than loved because people are selfish, unreliable, and changeable.
What does the term “Renaissance” mean?
Renaissance means rebirth—specifically a revival of art and learning.
Who was Cosimo de Medici, and how did he control Florence?
He was the wealthiest European of his time and controlled Florence by giving loans to politicians, becoming its unofficial ruler for 30 years.
What is a patron?
A person who financially supports artists.
What made Leonardo da Vinci a “Renaissance man”?
He excelled as a painter, sculptor, inventor, and scientist, and studied anatomy, nature, and mechanics to improve his art.
What three qualities did Leonardo, Michelangelo, and Raphael all demonstrate that reflected the Renaissance spirit?
Interest in classical culture, curiosity about the world, and belief in human potential.
What were the three advantages that made Italy the birthplace of the Renaissance?
Thriving cities
A wealthy merchant class
Classical heritage from Greece and Rome
What inspired Renaissance scholars to revive classical traditions?
Ruins of ancient Rome
Latin manuscripts preserved in monasteries
Greek manuscripts brought by scholars fleeing Constantinople in 1453
According to Castiglione, what qualities should the ideal Renaissance man possess?
He should be charming, witty, well-educated in the classics, skilled in the arts, athletic, and able to write poetry, dance, and sing.
What subjects did Raphael favor in his artwork?
The Madonna and child; he also painted classical philosophers and used perspective masterfully.
By the late 1400s, where had Renaissance ideas spread?
Northern Europe—especially England, France, Germany, and Flanders.
How did the bubonic plague affect economic conditions in northern Italy?
The population dropped, laborers were scarce, and surviving workers could demand higher wages. Merchants turned to other pursuits such as art.
What is humanism?
An intellectual movement that focused on human potential and achievements, based on classical Greek and Roman studies.
How were Renaissance women expected to contribute to society according to The Courtier?
They were to be educated and charming, inspire art, and avoid seeking fame; they rarely created art themselves.
Why were Sofonisba Anguissola and Artemisia Gentileschi notable?
They were among the few women who became successful painters during the Renaissance.
What allowed Northern Europe’s population to grow again around 1450?
Recovery from the bubonic plague.
Why did merchants believe they deserved power and wealth during the Renaissance?
They earned success through individual merit, not inherited status.
What subjects are included in the humanities?
History, literature, and philosophy.
What artistic technique did Renaissance painters use to create depth?
Perspective—an optical illusion that creates three-dimensional appearance on a flat surface.
How did Boccaccio’s Decameron reflect the time in which it was written?
It described people escaping the plague and combined tragic and humorous stories that showed human behavior during crisis.
What event ended in 1453, allowing many Northern European cities to grow rapidly?
The Hundred Years’ War between France and England.