MOVEMENT BEFORE RENAISSANCE

• The Renaissance was an important period in European history that stretched from the 14th century to the
17th century.
• It was preceded by the Middle Ages in Europe and eventually led to the major events of the Age of
Enlightenment.
• While the Renaissance is considered to have begun in the city-states of  the Florence in the 14th century, the
main ideas of the movement eventually spread to all of Europe by the 16th century. 
• The most significant changes that emerged as a result of the Renaissance can be seen in European
architecture, art, literature, mathematics, music, philosophy, politics, religion and science. 
• This created an environment of discovery and curiosity in which new ideas were constantly being introduced
and tested.  With that said, the term ‘renaissance’ in French means ‘rebirth’. 
• This is in relation to the idea that the intellectual culture of the Renaissance was sparked by the rediscovery
of ancient Greek and Roman philosophy which had largely been ignored in Europe throughout the Middle
Ages. 
• The period of time that came before the Renaissance in Europe is called the Middle Ages or Medieval Period. 
• It lasted for approximately 1000 years from the 5th century to the 15th century. [The Early, High and Late
Middle Ages.]

• The Early Middle Ages began in the 5th century during the decline of the Roman Empire.
• Europe at the time was ruled by many different kingdoms and did not have large unified countries such as
those in modern times.
• The Byzantine Empire (or Eastern Roman Empire) remained in the
eastern sections of Europe and parts of the Middle East and was
formed at the end of the 4th century, when the Western Roman
Empire collapsed.
• The High Middle Ages began at the start of the 11th century and
included some of the most prominent events and elements of the
whole Middle Ages. Investiture of a knight
(miniature from the statutes of
• For example, life in the High Middles Ages was characterized by the Order of the Knot, founded
religious faith in the Catholic Church and the social structure in 1352 by Louis I of Naples).
of feudalism.

Medieval French manuscript
illustration of the
three classes of medieval • Feudalism was a form of government common during
society: those who prayed medieval Europe that involved society being structured
(the clergy) those who fought
(the knights), and those who
in a very rigid and hierarchical way. 
worked (the peasantry). The • The final period the Middle Ages is called the Late Middle
relationship between these Ages and is considered to have occurred from the start of
classes was governed the 14th century to the end of the 15th century.
by feudalism and manorialis
m. (13th century)
• The Late Middle Ages was a difficult time for most people
in Europe and the surrounding areas.  This is due to the
spread of the bubonic plague that led to the events of On 25 December
the Black Death. 800,
Charlemagne was
• While the Black Death was a horrific event that caused crowned emperor
widespread death there were also several major by Pope Leo
developments during the time period of the Late Middle III. Coronation of
Ages.  First, the Age of Exploration (or Age of Discovery) Charlemagne,
Grandes
began at the end of the Late Middle Ages.  Chroniques de
• The time before the Renaissance in Europe is referred to as France
the Middle Ages.  Life during this time was dominated by
religious faith, the Catholic Church, feudalism, the
crusades, and the Black Death.
• The Renaissance was important because it was
fundamentally concerned with challenging the worldview
of Europeans at the time and led to many drastic changes
in architecture, art, literature, mathematics, music,
philosophy, politics, religion and science. 

The plague of Florence in 1348.

RENAISSANCE’S FIELDS OF INFLUENCE
• In the traditional view, the Renaissance affected every area of human activity and knowledge, from art to
zoology. It transformed Europe and, eventually, the rest of the world.

Education and History. 

• Renaissance humanists created a school curriculum based on classical languages and literature. This system
dominated European education for centuries.
• Students seeking to enter universities had to know Greek and Latin, and the classics were a key part of their
studies.
• Before the Renaissance, some people had thought of history as shaped by divine forces. By contrast, the
humanists viewed history as a fully human activity.
• They also began to distinguish different ways of writing about history: as an art, like literature; as a way of
teaching a moral or political lesson; or as a scientific quest for truth. The notion of history writing as a
technical discipline based on facts began with the Renaissance historians.

Art and Science. 

• The art and architecture of the Renaissance had a lasting influence on later centuries. Masterpieces by
Michelangelo, Leonardo, Raphael, and other Renaissance masters became standards of greatness. In addition,
later artists continued trends begun during the Renaissance. The Renaissance also revived the classical idea
of portraits as realistic images of individuals, a move toward modern portraiture.
• Renaissance architects drew on classical models and, in turn,
were imitated by later designers. 
• Andrea Palladio's writings and villas* have influenced many
structures built over the years. Examples in the United
States include the White House and Monticello, the home
of Thomas Jefferson.
• Science advanced when Renaissance humanists discovered and
spread ancient works on mathematics, medicine, and other
topics. Lorsch Gospels.
• Certain important scientific ideas took root during the Ivory book cover.
Late Antiquity
Renaissance, including the value of precise measurement, the Imperial scenes
notion that the universe is mathematically harmonious, and adapted to a
the belief that technological progress is possible. Christian theme.
• These ideas laid the foundation for modern science. In Carolingian art

addition, medicine was revolutionized in the Renaissance by

two new practices: an emphasis on the study of anatomy and
teaching medical students through direct observation of
patients. Both of these elements remain important to medical
training today.

The Romanesque Church
of Maria Laach, Germany
Popular Imagination and Culture.
• The general public draws ideas and images of the Renaissance from school, museums, books, television,
and movies.
• Major Renaissance figures, such as Michelangelo
and William Shakespeare, are familiar to people all over
the world, and the term "Renaissance" has entered the
common vocabulary.
• Because the Renaissance produced individuals with a
wide range interests who excelled in a number of
different areas, someone who is accomplished and
successful in several fields is often called a
"Renaissance man" or "Renaissance woman."
Shakespeare has had more influence in the popular
imagination than any other Renaissance figure.
• Schools and universities teach his plays, which are
performed more often than any other English plays.
Phrases from his works, such as "To be or not to be,"
have become part of everyday language. Many of Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel; the work
Shakespeare's plays have been filmed and or made into took approximately four years to complete (1508–1512)
operas.