Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Period: 7th
Chapter 10 Summary
Chapter 10 starts offs with the beginning of the Renaissance in Italy. The renaissance was
the rebirth of Greek and Roman ideas. This was the time of transition from medieval to modern
times. Before this time the government of the time was feudal society with an agricultural
economy, and the Church of England largely dominated its thought and culture.
Northern Italian city states had which stopped the centralization of Italy into one nation.
With the city states all having their own powers and authorities this created permanent
ambassadors.
Humanism was the study of Latin and Greek classics and of the ancient church fathers,
both for its sake and in the hope of reviving respected ancient norms and values. Humanist
advocated the studia humanitatis, a liberal arts program if study embracing grammar, rhetoric,
poetry, history, politics, and moral philosophy. They celebrated the dignity of humankind and
prepared people for a life of virtuous action. The Florentine Leonardo Bruni first gave the name
humanists, or "Humanity", to the learning that resulted from such scholarly pursuit. The first
Renaissance Art was helped developed by artists who used new technical skills during
the fifteenth century. With the availability of oil paints and the techniques of chiaroscuro and
linear perspective. These styles aimed to bring away from old medieval styles. Medieval arts
tended to be abstract and formulaic, while renaissance was embraced the natural world and
human nature.
Niccolo Machiavelli saw more than convinced he became that Italian political unity and
independence were ends that justified the means. Was impressed by the way Roman rulers ruled
their kingdoms. He said they had virtue, the ability to act decisively and heroically for the good
of their country. He held republican ideas; he believed that a strong and determined people could
struggle successfully with fortune. He believed that the Italian people should avoid their greed
and open their arms. The term “Machiavellian” has become synonymous with ruthless political
expediency.