Renaissance Key Figures and Concepts

Key People and Families

• Marco Polo: Venetian merchant and adventurer who traveled to Asia.
• Medici Family: Powerful Florentine traders (13th-17th centuries). Prominent patrons of the arts, developed bookkeeping practices (double-entry and general ledger). Had influence in the Church, including 3 popes.
• Petrarch: Italian humanist who considered classical Roman and Greek times superior to the medieval period (Dark Ages).
• Erasmus: Dutch humanist, considered the greatest scholar of the Northern Renaissance
• Michelangelo: Famous Renaissance artist, commissioned by the Medici family; competed with Leonardo da Vinci for projects; completed ambitious projects for the Pope.
• Leonardo da Vinci: Renaissance Italian artist and inventor, also competed for projects with Michelangelo.

Key Terms and Concepts

• Silk Road: Network of trade routes connecting civilizations from the Mediterranean to the Pacific Ocean. Facilitated exchange of religions, science, technology, philosophy, etc.
• Crusades: Religious wars between Christian and Muslim forces. European armies attempted to recapture Middle Eastern territories.
• City-States: Many European countries were ruled by monarchs during the Renaissance. Italy was a collection of independent cities with surrounding rural areas.
• Republic: A country ruled by its citizens or representatives.
• Patron: Supported and commissioned art works
• Doge: Highest official of the Venetian Republic, symbol of Venetian power (for over 1000 years.)
• Scuole: Social institutions; tied to religious beliefs, provided prayer, charitable assistance, and religious services for members.