Renaissance Overview and Features

The Renaissance

• Definition: "Renaissance" means "rebirth" in French. It was a cultural and intellectual movement spanning from the late 14th to the early 17th centuries. The Italian Peninsula was considered its birthplace.

Features of the Renaissance

• Revival of Greco-Roman Civilization: People renewed their interest in the culture of ancient Greece and Rome.
• Rise of Humanism: Europe became more secular (less focused on religion), emphasizing rationality, independent thought, and the scientific method. Traditional ideas held by the Church for centuries were challenged.
• Challenging Tradition: Humanism, as a result of this shift, led to the questioning of traditional ideas and the development of new ideas and inventions.

Causes of the Renaissance

• The Black Death and Decline of Feudalism: The devastating plague in the 14th century led to depopulation and a decline in feudalism. This created opportunities for those who survived, and many rural people moved to cities, promoting economic growth, social change, and the arts.
• Increased Interaction Between East and West: The Crusades and trade facilitated knowledge exchange between Europe and the Middle East, introducing new ideas, philosophies, and technologies. The fall of Constantinople in 1453 led Greek scholars to Italy, bringing ancient knowledge.
• Growth of Cities: Italian cities experienced significant growth thanks to trade, fueling wealth and support for the arts.
• Rise of Universities and Intellectuals: Universities emerged, promoting learning and fostering intellectual growth during the late Middle Ages.
• Printing Technology: Johannes Gutenberg's invention of the printing press revolutionized the spread of ideas and knowledge, allowing books to circulate and be shared much more easily.
• Declining Influence of the Church: While religion remained important, the Renaissance saw a shift in power dynamics, with increased emphasis on human potential and accomplishments.

Major Achievements of the Renaissance

Art

• Painting: Artists focused on diverse themes (not only religion), employed more realistic and three-dimensional techniques, including perspective and shadowing.
• Sculptures: Inspired by the Bible, but Renaissance sculptures were more realistic, emphasizing detailed facial expressions and body movements.

Architecture

• Background: The Renaissance revived Classical Antiquity, drawing heavily from Greco-Roman styles.
• Features: Features like pointed arches which were common in the Medieval Era, were replaced with semi-circular Roman arches, tall towers with domes.

Astronomy

• Medieval Times: The prevailing view was geocentrism (Earth was the center of the universe), supported by the Church.
• Renaissance: Heliocentrism (Sun-centered universe) gained prominence, challenging the Church's view. Copernicus and Galileo were key figures in this shift.

Medical Science

• Medieval Times: Disease was attributed to God's punishment, and dissection of bodies was often prohibited.
• Renaissance: Scientific inquiry into disease and the body increased, leading to more understanding of the human anatomy. Doctors used observation and research, including dissection.