The Renaissance
UNIT 2: INTRODUCTION
LEQ:
How can the
physical
features of a
region
contribute to its
achievements?
Drill:
Which physical
feature(s) make
Italy an ideal
location for the
spread of ideas?
Italy
Easy Access to Water
 Historically,
has four major advantages for
civilizations:
1. Trade
2. Travel
3. Farming
4. Fishing
Italy’s central location in the
Mediterranean Region allowed
it to develop into a great
empire and again created
a civilization with the ability to
share and spread ideas
throughout Europe during the
Renaissance
Map of Renaissance Italy
Use page 23 of the class handout and label your map of
Italy
Create a key
Identify and color in each of the city-states
Label the surrounding bodies of water
The Renaissance
in Italy
UNIT 2 LESSON 1
LEQ:
What is the
Renaissance
and where
did it start?
Drill:
Why might an
urban
environment
stimulate new
ideas?
What is the Renaissance?
 The rebirth of Greek and Roman ideas in art, writing,
architecture, learning, and culture.
 Created innovative styles of art and literature
 Spread from northern Italy to the rest of Europe
 Occurred roughly 1300-1600
Why Italy?
Italy had 3 distinct advantages:
1. Overseas trade led to growth of large city-states
2. Northern Italy was urban while the rest of
Europe was still rural
3. Ideas were exchanged in cities and the site of
an intellectual revolution
City States
Florence was the
epicenter of the Italian
Renaissance.
Wealthy Merchants and the Medici
 A wealthy merchant developed in each Italian city-state
 Merchants dominated politics
 Merchants did not inherit social rank = this lead to the rise
of importance of individual merit
 The Medici banking family came to dominate Florence and
became patrons of the arts
Cosimo de Medici & Lorenzo de Medici
Basilica of San Lorenzo
Classical and Worldly Views
 Humanism: an intellectual movement that
focused more on human potential and
achievements
 Popularized the study of history, literature, and
philosophy (all are known as humanities)
 Worldly pleasure: Humanists suggested that a
person could enjoy life without offending God
Renaissance Man
Renaissance Man: strove to be a master in every area
of study
- Expected to be charming, witty, and well
educated
- Also should be a skilled rider, wrestler, and
swordsman