300-1400 CE:
MIDDLE AGES

Rise and fall of empire's


Roman Empire - Eastern Roman Empire, which became the Byzantine Empire, survived.
The Western Roman Empire: population decline, especially in urban areas, decrease of
trade, and increase in immigration.

DARK AGES – Shows the cultural and economic deterioration that supposedly occurred in
Europe following the decline of the Roman Empire (Western). A time when the forces of
darkness, the barbarians, overwhelmed the forces of light, the Romans.

Crusades

Wars - Germanic tribes took over Western Roman Empire

And most destructive…bubonic plague (Black Death)

MAIN IDEA: Feudalism, a political and economic system
based on land-holding and protective alliances, emerges in
Europe.

Why does it matter?

The rights and duties of feudal relationships helped shape today’s
form of representative government.
A Typical Town Street
Buildings are
timber framed
rubbish thrown
into the street
Upper storey
overhangs to
maximise space
Sewage in the
middle of the
street
Pigs eating
rubbish in
the street
Buildings are
closely packed
- fire risk
rats
Shops in front room
“I must make
sure I harvest
enough for my
family as well
as for my Lord
and the Church”
Ploughing
Houses are made
of wood, mud and
straw
Sowing
Water Mill
A Typical
Village
Scene
Peasant
clothing
Weeding
Entertainment
Music
Jousting
Watching Punishments
Board
Games
Sword Fights
Plays
Ball
Games
Dancing
BUBONIC PLAGUE = BLACK
DEATH

1300’s – 1/3 of population of Europe died

Began in Asia by traveling on trade routes through
the Muslim world and Europe (fleas on rats)

Effects of Plague:




Trade declined
Population declined
Church suffered because prayers
failed
Jews blamed and pushed out
of towns and homes.
Birth of the European
Renaissance
CORE CONTENT

SS-HS-5.3.1 Students will explain how humans began to
rediscover the ideas of the Classical Age (e.g., humanism,
developments in art and architecture, literature, political
theories) and to question their place in the universe during
the Renaissance and Reformation. DOK 2
I CAN …..

I can identify and explain Renaissance advances in
architecture and engineering, painting, sculpture,
literature, science, and mathematics..

I can discuss the factors that made Florence an
important cultural center during the Renaissance.

I can explain how various advances made during the
Renaissance reflect humanist thinking and ideals.
Renaissance

Renaissance is a French word meaning “Rebirth”.

The Renaissance was a cultural awakening that began in Italy and spread
throughout Western Europe.

It lasted from 1350 until 1600.

Before the Renaissance, Europe was in the Dark Ages.

The Crusades helped bring Europe out of the Dark Ages. – HOW?
“A Visual
Metaphor
for the
Renaissance”
How are the different
parts of the root of
the “Renaissance
plant" labeled?
What might this tell
us about how the two
time periods
influenced the growth
of the Renaissance?
What three things seem
to be contributing to the
growth of the
Renaissance?
What three things
seem to be
contributing to the
growth of the
Renaissance?
How are the
different parts of
the root of the
“Renaissance
plant" labeled?
What might this
tell us about
how the two
time periods
influenced the
growth of the
Renaissance?
What three
things seem to
be
contributing
to the growth
of
the is the soil
What
Renaissance?
labeled? Why do
you think it is
labeled this way?
Essential Question
What changes in Europe
led to the Renaissance?
Read “Section 1: Introduction”
and “Section 2: What was the
Renaissance?” in Student Text.
Copy and complete the following...
Muslim scholars.
goods and ideas from
the East, including
classical learning.
copying documents
that survived from the
classical period.
a rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman culture.
THE GODFATHERS OF
THE RENAISSANCE
Medici
Example of Classical Art:
Roman copy of Myron's Discobolus,
Statue, circa 450 B.C.E.
The statue is a Roman copy of a Greek
statue that was probably created to
celebrate the achievement of a famous
athlete, perhaps his Olympic victory.
Notice how his strong, defined body is
carefully arranged into simple and
harmonious shapes.
He is neither an ordinary man nor a god,
but he represents an ideal man in Greek
society.
Example of Medieval Art:
Narthex Tympanum, Sculpture, 1120 C.E.
This sculpture was made to fit into an arched
niche, called a tympanum, over the entrance
doors to a church in France.
The figure in the center is Jesus, who is sending his
apostles all over the world to preach. The figures in
the scenes surrounding them, and in the long line
across the bottom, are people around the world
waiting for the apostles. Making the figures’ bodies
look realistic was not important to this artist. The
artist’s intention was to tell a story and convey
religious meaning.
Example of
Renaissance
Art:
The School
of Athens,
Raphael,
Mural, about
1510 C.E.
This mural was created to decorate an entire
It is arranged to frame the two most important
wall of a room in the pope’s palace in Rome.
philosophers, Plato and Aristotle, who stand
It shows an imaginary gathering of the
in the center. The building recalls the
great thinkers of ancient Greece in a large, open architecture of classical antiquity and uses
building.
perspective to create depth.
Look back at “Section 2”, “Exploring the Rebirth of
Classical Ideas Through Art”...
To show the
importance of
ordinary people, civic
leaders, and gods and
goddesses.
Possible answers:
figure is nude; body
is active and in
motion; face is calm
and without emotion
To teach religion to
people who could not
read or write.
Possible answers:
highlights Jesus who
is larger than other
figures; figures are all
fully dressed in stiff
clothing
To show the
importance of people
and nature.
Possible answers:
lifelike threedimensional figures;
figures are shown in
motion; colors reflect
lighting
Copy the following chart into your notes...
Classical
Medieval
Renaissance
In which period do you think each work of art was created? Examine the images
and fill in the matrix.
Classical
C
The woman is in a
scene from her daily
life; the poses are
harmonious and
balanced; the faces of
the figures are very
calm; no background
or sense of
perspective
Medieval
B
Mary is larger than
the other figures;
figures look flat, not
real
Renaissance
A
Figures look realistic;
facial expressions are
revealing; full
landscape in
background; has
depth
Read “Section 3: The Growth in
Trade and Commerce” in Student
Text.
Answer the following questions...
1. Describe how Marco Polo’s travels
along the Silk Road helped
reawaken interest in classical
culture.
2. List and explain two results of the
increase in trade in Europe.
1. Describe how Marco Polo’s travels
along the Silk Road helped
reawaken interest in classical
culture.
In the 13th century, Mongol conquests made it
safe to travel along the Silk Road. Marco Polo’s
travels sparked a greater interest in the East,
and helped encourage the transport of food, art,
and luxury goods along the trade route.
1. List and explain two results of the
increase in trade in Europe.
An increase in trade led to a new, money
economy. It also helped crafts people,
merchants, and bankers become more
important in society.
Read “Section 4: The Influence of
Italian City-States” in Student
Text.
Answer the following questions...
1. What were Italian city-states? How
were they governed?
2. How did Italian city-states become
so powerful?
1. What were Italian city-states? How
were they governed?
Italian city-states were powerful cities in
Renaissance Italy that ruled the surrounding
towns and countryside. They were independent
and were open republics governed by elected
councils. Sometimes, in reality, they were ruled
by rich merchants, guilds, or powerful families.
1. How did Italian city-states become
so powerful?
Because of their central Mediterranean
location, Italian city-states became major
centers of trade and business.
Italy’s Advantages
 Why
did the Renaissance
start in Italy?
1.
2.
3.
Thriving Cities
Wealthy Merchant Class
Classical Heritage of
Greece and Rome
City-States
 Oversea
trade
 Urbanized,
large cities
 Intellectual
Revolution
Looking to Greece and
Rome
•Didn’t like art/literature from Middle Ages
1. Scholars/artists drew inspiration from Greek and
Roman ruins
2. Western scholars studied ancient Latin manuscripts
3. Christian scholars in Constantinople fled to Rome with
Greek manuscripts when the Turks conquered it (1453)
What advantages fostered the Renaissance in
Italy?
ANSWER:
Thriving cities, a wealthy
merchant class, and the
heritage of Greece and Rome
Read “Section 2: The City of
Florence” in Student Text.
Answer the following questions...
1. What factors helped Florence to
become a wealthy city?
2. How did Florence’s wealth
contribute to its cultural activity?
3. Why did many travelers come to
Florence?
City of Florence

1. What factors helped Florence to become a wealthy city?


2. How did Florence’s wealth contribute to its cultural activity?


Because of its ideal location on the Arno River, Florence became a
center for trade and commerce. It also was dominated by the Medici
family, who helped Florence become a banking center for Europe.
The city’s residents could afford to be patrons of artists and thinkers.
[wealthy merchant class]
3. Why did many travelers come to Florence?

Some travelers came to do business, while others came to study art. Still
others came to learn at the city’s schools and libraries.
Read “Section 5: The Growth of
Humanism” in Student Text.
Answer the following questions...
1. What did Renaissance humanists
believe about people’s abilities?
2. What subjects from ancient times
did humanists study and explore?
3. How did the Renaissance
humanists’ beliefs sometimes
conflict with those of the Catholic
Church?
1.
What did Renaissance humanists believe about
people’s abilities?
Renaissance humanists believed that people
could shape their own lives and achieve great
things.
1. What subjects from ancient times did humanists
study and explore?
Renaissance humanists studied classical art,
architecture, government, history, poetry,
and language.
1. How did the Renaissance humanists’ beliefs
sometimes conflict with those of the Catholic
Church?
The Church taught that laws were made by
God and required people to follow its teachings
without question. It also emphasized life after
death as opposed to life on Earth. Renaissance
humanists believed that people should question
everything, and tried to balance religious faith
with an active interest in human existence.
Classical and Worldly
Views

Humanism – an intellectual movement that focused on human
potential and achievements

Influenced artists and architects to carry on classical traditions

Popularized study of common classical subjects, known as the Humanities
(history, philosophy, literature)
•WORLDLY PLEASURES
•Humanists believed you can enjoy life without
offending God
•Wealthy people had luxuries
•Most people stayed devout Catholics
BUT, majority was secular, worldly rather than
spiritual and concerned with the here and now
Read “Section 6: Advances in
Literature” in Student Text.
Answer the following questions...
1. Briefly describe two ways in which
Renaissance literature differed from
medieval literature.
2. How is Dante’s The Divine Comedy
an example of humanist art?
Advances in Literature

1. Briefly describe two ways in which Renaissance literature
differed from medieval literature.


Renaissance writers wrote about secular topics and about personal
experiences. They used more individual styles and expressed thoughts
and feelings about life. Unlike medieval writers, who wrote primarily in
Latin, Renaissance writers wrote in their own vernacular.
2. How is Dante’s The Divine Comedy an example of humanist art?

Dante’s The Divine Comedy highlights strong emotions and the
experiences of individuals. It is also a social commentary and includes
real people.
Renaissance Writers
Change Literature
•Produced works that reflected their
times
•Influenced writing today
•Vernacular – native language (Latin)
•Wrote for self expression
Read “Section : Advances in Science
and Mathematics” in Student Text.
Answer the following questions...
How did the study of science
change during the Renaissance?
Advances in Science and
Mathematics

How did the study of science change during the
Renaissance?
 During the Renaissance, people used a new
approach: they questioned old ideas, made
careful observations, performed experiments,
and analyzed the results.
Leonardo de Vinci

Painter

Sculptor

Inventor

Scientist

Incorporated findings into art
http://www.biography.com/people
/leonardo-da-vinci-40396
Niccolo Machiavelli
The Growth of Trade and
Commerce
The Influence of Italian
City-States
Merchants and bankers grew wealthy
and could afford to pay for new buildings
and art to beautify their cities.
Growing trade meant that more classical
texts, art, and artifacts were passed along
trade routes, sparking interest in classical
culture.
Their wealth encouraged a
growth in art and learning. Rich
families supported the creation
of art, new buildings, and
centers of learning, such as
universities and hospitals.
What changes in
Europe led to the
Renaissance?
People began to change their ideas about
many things, such as government, social
class, and religion. They tried to improve
upon the art, architecture, and ideas of the
classical period, which led to new
discoveries, new ways of studying things,
and new inventions in many areas of life.
The Growth of
Humanism