Unit 1 Flashcards
Golden Bull
A decree issued by Emperor Charles IV in 1356 that established the
procedure for electing the Holy Roman Emperor. It gave significant power to seven electors (three archbishops and four secular princes) and aimed to stabilize the empire’s political structure.
Emperor Charles IV
Holy Roman Emperor from 1355 to 1378, known for issuing the
Golden Bull of 1356, which formalized the electoral process for choosing future emperors and strengthened the power of the electors within the empire.
Peace of Augsburg
A 1555 agreement within the Holy Roman Empire that allowed
each prince to choose whether their territory would be Catholic or Lutheran. It aimed to end religious conflict between Catholics and Lutherans but did not recognize other Protestant denominations.
Federick III
Also known as Frederick the Wise, he was the Elector of Saxony and a
strong supporter of Martin Luther during the Protestant Reformation. Frederick protected Luther from the Holy Roman Emperor and the Catholic Church after Luther was declared
an outlaw.
The Thirty Years’ War
A destructive conflict from 1618 to 1648, primarily fought
within the Holy Roman Empire. It began as a religious war between Catholics and Protestants but evolved into a broader political struggle involving many European powers.
Bohemia
A region in Central Europe that played a central role in the early stages of the Thirty Years War. The conflict began when Protestant nobles in Bohemia revolted against the Catholic Habsburg emperor, leading to widespread warfare.
Federick, Calvinist Elector of the Palatinate
A Protestant leader who briefly became King of Bohemia after the Protestant revolt against the Habsburgs. His defeat by Catholic forces marked the early turning point in the Thirty Years War.
Albrecht von Wallenstein
A military commander who led the Catholic forces during
the Thirty Years War. Known for his ruthless and effective tactics, Wallenstein played a significant role in the Catholic victories during the early years of the war.
Edict of Restitution
A decree issued by Emperor Ferdinand II in 1629 during the Thirty
Years War. It aimed to restore Catholic properties that had been taken by Protestants since the Peace of Augsburg, further fueling religious tensions.
Gustavus Adolphus
The King of Sweden who led Protestant forces during the Thirty
Years War. Known as a brilliant military strategist, his involvement turned the tide in favor of the Protestants before his death in battle in 1632.
Peace of Westphalia
The series of treaties that ended the Thirty Years War in 1648. It
marked the end of large-scale religious wars in Europe, recognized the independence of various states within the Holy Roman Empire, and established principles of sovereignty that shaped modern international relations.
Georgio Vasari
An Italian artist and writer credited with coining the term “Renaissance” in his biographies of famous artists. His work helped to shape the understanding of the Renaissance as a period of cultural “rebirth” in Europe.
“Rebirth”
The term used to describe the Renaissance, a period of renewed interest in the art, culture, and knowledge of ancient Greece and Rome. It symbolizes the revival of classical learning and values after the Middle Ages.
Individualism
A Renaissance idea that emphasized the importance of the individual,
personal achievement, and self-expression. This focus on the individual led to significant advancements in art, literature, and science.
City-States
Independent regions in Italy during the Renaissance, such as Florence, Venice, and Milan, that were centers of trade, culture, and political power. These city- states played a key role in the development of Renaissance art and thought.
Northern Renaissance
The spread of Renaissance ideas and culture to northern Europe,
where there was a greater emphasis on religious reform and social issues. This period saw significant developments in art, literature, and humanism outside of Italy.
Protestant Reformation
A 16th-century movement that began as a protest against the
practices of the Catholic Church, leading to the creation of Protestant denominations. The Reformation had a profound impact on religion, politics, and society in Europe.
Holy Roman Empire
A political entity in Central Europe that existed from the early
Middle Ages to 1806. Though it included many regions, its control over Italy weakened during the Renaissance, allowing Italian city-states to become independent and powerful.
Popolo
A term used in Italian city-states during the Renaissance to refer to the common people or the non-noble class. The popolo often sought to gain political power and challenge the dominance of the nobility and wealthy merchants.
Ciompi Revolt
A 1378 uprising in Florence led by wool workers (the ciompi) who
demanded better working conditions and greater political representation. Although the revolt was ultimately suppressed, it reflected the social tensions in Renaissance Italy.
The Medici
A powerful and influential family in Florence who were major patrons of the arts during the Renaissance. The Medici used their wealth from banking to support artists, scientists, and intellectuals, helping to shape the Renaissance culture.
Papal States
Territories in central Italy that were directly controlled by the Pope and the Catholic Church during the Renaissance. The Papal States were a major political and religious power, and the Pope often acted as a patron of the arts.
Patrons
Wealthy individuals or families who supported artists, writers, and scholars during the Renaissance. Patrons like the Medici played a crucial role in funding and encouraging the cultural achievements of the period.
Humanism
A Renaissance intellectual movement that focused on the study of classical texts, the value of human potential, and the pursuit of knowledge. Humanists emphasized the importance of education and the study of subjects like literature, history, and philosophy.
Francesco Petrarch
Often called the “Father of Humanism” Petrarch was an Italian
scholar and poet who revived interest in the classical works of ancient Rome and Greece. His writings helped to lay the foundation for Renaissance humanism.
“Dark Ages”
A term coined by Petrarch to describe the period between the fall of the Roman Empire and the beginning of the Renaissance. He viewed this era as a time of cultural decline and ignorance, in contrast to the “light” of classical antiquity.
Pico della Mirandola, Oration on the Dignity of Man
An Italian philosopher who wrote this famous work, often considered the “Manifesto of the Renaissance.” Pico argued that humans have the unique ability to shape their own destiny through knowledge
and free will.
Florentine Platonic Academy
An informal group of scholars in Florence who studied
and discussed the works of Plato and other ancient philosophers. Supported by the Medici family, the academy was influential in the development of Renaissance Neoplatonism.
Neoplatonism
A philosophical movement that sought to blend the ideas of Plato with Christian thought. Neoplatonists believed in the existence of a single, transcendent source of all goodness and truth, influencing Renaissance art and literature.
Civic Humanist
Renaissance thinkers who applied humanist principles to public life
and politics. Civic humanists believed that individuals should use their knowledge and talents to contribute to the community and improve society.
Castiglione, The Courtier
An Italian diplomat and author who wroteThe Book of the
Courtier, a guide to the qualities and behaviors expected of a Renaissance noble. The work became highly influential in shaping the ideals of Renaissance aristocracy.
Lorenzo Valla
An Italian humanist and scholar known for his critical analysis of
historical texts. Valla work, including his exposure of the Donation of Constantine as a forgery, demonstrated the power of humanist scholarship in challenging traditional
authority.
Leonardo Bruni
An Italian humanist, historian, and statesman who is often credited
with developing the concept of civic humanism. Bruni's writings emphasized the importance of active participation in public life and the study of history for understanding human nature.
Christine de Pisan
A French-Italian author and one of the first female professional
writers in Europe. Christine de Pisan is best known for her works defending women and promoting their education, includingThe Book of the City of Ladies.
Filippo Brunelleschi
An architect and engineer who is best known for designing the
dome of the Florence Cathedral. Brunelleschi is often credited with developing linear perspective in art, a technique that allowed artists to create more realistic, three- dimensional spaces.
Fresco
A technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid lime plaster. The pigments used are mixed with water and applied to the wet plaster, becoming part of the wall surface as the plaster dries, which preserves the artwork for centuries.
Chiaroscuro
An artistic technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to give the illusion of depth and volume in two-dimensional art. It was widely used by Renaissance artists to create more lifelike images.
Single-Point Perspective
A method of creating the illusion of depth on a flat surface,
where all lines in a drawing or painting converge at a single point on the horizon. This technique became a fundamental tool for Renaissance artists to achieve realistic compositions.
High Renaissance
The period of the Renaissance typically dated from the late 15th
century to the early 16th century, marked by the peak of artistic achievements in Italy. It is characterized by the works of Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael.
Mannerism
An artistic style that emerged in the later years of the High Renaissance. Mannerism is characterized by exaggerated proportions, distorted perspectives, and complex compositions, often with a focus on elegance and artificiality.
Leonardo da Vinci,Mona Lisa
A master of the High Renaissance, Leonardo da Vinci was a painter, scientist, and inventor. His paintingMona Lisais one of the most famous works of art in the world, known for its mysterious expression and use of sfumato technique.
Raphael,The School of Athens
Raphael was an Italian painter and architect known for
his clarity of form and composition.The School of Athens, a fresco in the Vatican, depicts an idealized gathering of ancient philosophers and symbolizes the marriage of art, philosophy, and science during the Renaissance.
