Italian Renaissance Flashcards
Jacob Burckhardt’s “Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy”
What: Book written by Jacob Burckhardt arguing that in 14 and 15th century Italy, through the revival of ancient learning, new secular and scientific values began to replace traditional religious beliefs
When: 1860
Humanism
What: the scholarly study of Latin/Greek classics and of the ancient Church Fathers for it’s own sake and in the hope of a rebirth of ancient norms and values.
Where: Italian city states
Petrarch
Who: father of Italian Renaissance humanism
When: 1304-1374
Where: Italian city-states; some time in Avignon
Why: one of the first intellects of period to focus on the classics from Greco-Roman culture: attempted to mix classical thoughts with Christian values; highly critical of the medieval period calling a ‘Dark Age’
Lorenzo Valla’s “The Donotation of Constantine”
Who: Lorenzo Valla
When: 1517
What: Valla uses philological methods to attack the authenticity to the documents of the papacy’s temporal rule. Considered one of the most influential text criticisms. During the Reformation, was placed on the Church’s Index of Prohibited Books
Pico Della Morandola
Who: Italian Renaissance philosopher
When:1463-1494
Where: spent most of his life in the Italian city states, fled to France for some time in 1488
Why: Author of “Oration of the Dignity of Man,” which is considered the manifesto of the Renaissance; proposed 900 theses of how he believed to provide a complete basis on the discovery of all knowledge
Civic Humanism
A modern term for moral, social, and political philosophy that were articulated during 14/15 century in the Italian city states, during the Renaissance
Niccolo Machiavelli’s, “The Prince”
What: claimed to be one of the first works of modern philosophy; a political treatise, it took truth is more important than the abstract idea
When:1532
Cosimo de Medici
Who: the first ruler of the Medici family dynasty. Used his wealth as his power to control votes in his favor.
When:1389-1464
Where: Florence, was exiled for a while in Venice
Lorenzo de Medici
Who: also known as Lorenzo the Magnificent; Italian statesman and ruler of the Florence Republic during the Italian Renaissance. People under his rule had very little political power and he had very little successful bank ventures
When: 1449-1492
Where: Florence, Italy
Signoria
The government of medieval and renaissance Italy. Nine men were chosen from the guilds of the city
Condottieri
Warlords/Mercenaries of Italy contracted by the city states and the Papacy. Condottieri translates from Italian to “contractor”
Sforza Family
Who: a ruling family in Renaissance Italy, based in Milan. Gained their status from being Condottieri. Ruled similarly to the Medicis in Florence.
When: mid-15th century to mid-16th century
Where: Milan, Italy
Baldassare Castiglione’s “Book of the Courtier”
What: A definite account of Renaissance court life, considered on of the most important works of the Renaissance. Addresses the life of the perfect courtier and the life of a perfect lady
Where: published in Venice
When: 1528
Christine de Pisan
Who: Author who challenged misogyny and stereotypes. Can be considered Europe’s first professional female writer.
When: 1363-1430
Where: Venice born, and spent most of her life in Paris
Isabella de Este
Who: major political and cultural figure of the Italian Renaissance. Was the Marchesa of Mantua.
When: 1474-1539
Where: Mantua, Italy
