Unit I

Question 1

What term did Georgio Vasari use to describe the Renaissance?

Answer 1

Rinascita

The term means ‘rebirth’ in Italian.

Question 2

What was the Renaissance believed to be a new golden age for?

Answer 2

Intellectuals and artists of the 15th and 16th centuries

Question 3

How did Renaissance artisans view their achievements in relation to the Middle Ages?

Answer 3

They believed their achievements owed nothing to the backwardness of the Middle Ages.

Question 4

What significant contributions were made during the Renaissance?

Answer 4

• Literature
• Art
• Philosophy
• Political and historical thought

Question 5

What modern notion was born during the Renaissance?

Answer 5

Individualism

Question 6

Where did the intellectual and artistic developments of the Renaissance first take place?

Answer 6

Italian city-states

Question 7

What invention in the mid-15th century helped spread Renaissance cultural trends?

Answer 7

Printing press

Question 8

What movement was created as a result of the spread of Renaissance ideas to Northern Europe?

Answer 8

Northern Renaissance movement

Question 9

What were the primary concerns of Italian Renaissance writers?

Answer 9

Secular concerns

Question 10

What did the Northern Renaissance ultimately help lay the foundation for?

Answer 10

Protestant Reformation

Question 11

What was the political control of the towns in Northern Italy during the Middle Ages?

Answer 11

Nominally under the control of the Holy Roman Empire

Question 12

What two groups often conflicted in Renaissance Italy’s city-states?

Answer 12

• Old nobility
• Wealthy merchant families

Question 13

What was the urban underclass in Renaissance Italy known as?

Answer 13

Popolo

Question 14

What event in Florence in 1378 expressed the dissatisfaction of the popolo?

Answer 14

Ciompi Revolt

Question 15

What was the outcome of the Ciompi Revolt in Florence?

Answer 15

A brief period of control by the poor over the government

Question 16

Who eventually dominated Milan after social tensions arose?

Answer 16

Sforza family

Question 17

What type of government did Florence and Venice remain after the Ciompi Revolt?

Answer 17

Republics

Question 18

What family became noteworthy in Florence for their control and wealth?

Answer 18

Medici

Question 19

Fill in the blank: The Medici used their wealth from _______ to establish power.

Answer 19

Banking

Question 20

True or False: The Medici were initially the public rulers of Florence.

Answer 20

False

Question 21

What were the Medici’s roles in Florence after establishing themselves?

Answer 21

• Behind-the-scenes rulers
• Hereditary dukes

Question 22

What is the term for the cultural rebirth that took place during the Renaissance?

Answer 22

Rinascita

Rinascita is an Italian word meaning ‘rebirth’, often used to describe the cultural revival in Europe during the Renaissance.

Question 23

What were the dominant city-states of Italy by the mid-15th century?

Answer 23

• Florence
• Milan
• Venice
• Papal States
• Kingdom of Naples

These city-states emerged as the main political entities following the decline of numerous medieval city-states.

Question 24

What economic activities contributed to the vibrancy of the Italian city-states during the Renaissance?

Answer 24

• Trade in Italian wool and silk
• Banking services provided to European monarchs

Wealth generated from these activities allowed merchants to become significant patrons of the arts.

Question 25

True or False: The Italian city-states were characterized by internal tensions and external rivalries.

Answer 25

True ## Footnote These conflicts often stimulated the creative energy essential to the Renaissance.

Question 26

Fill in the blank: Wealthy Italian merchants insisted on the development of _______ art forms.

Answer 26

secular ## Footnote Secular art forms included portraiture that showcased the wealth and status of the patrons.

Question 27

What was the impact of the long-term warfare among the Italian city-states?

Answer 27

Narrowed the numerous city-states to a few dominant states ## Footnote This reduction in number allowed for more concentrated power and influence in the remaining states.

Question 28

Which geographical feature was significant to the Kingdom of Naples?

Answer 28

Mediterranean Sea ## Footnote The Kingdom of Naples had access to the Mediterranean, which facilitated trade and military movements.

Question 29

What role did patrons play in the Renaissance?

Answer 29

Supported the arts and development of secular art forms ## Footnote Patrons were often wealthy merchants who wanted to showcase their wealth through art.

Question 30

What were the main features of the Italian State System during the Renaissance?

Answer 30

* City-states engaged in warfare * Economic vibrancy * Cultural patronage ## Footnote These features collectively contributed to the unique environment of the Renaissance in Italy.

Question 32

What is the significance of Italy's central location in the Mediterranean during the Renaissance?

Answer 32

It created links between Greek culture of the East and Latin culture of the West. ## Footnote Southern Italy was home to Greek colonies and later the center of the Roman Empire.

Question 33

What is Humanism characterized as by most historians?

Answer 33

A program of study including rhetoric and literature based on classical works. ## Footnote It is not considered a particular philosophical viewpoint.

Question 34

Who is often considered the founder of Humanism?

Answer 34

Francesco Petrarch (1304-1374). ## Footnote Petrarch became dissatisfied with law and focused on literary classics.

Question 35

What term did Petrarch coin to describe the cultural decline after the Roman Empire's collapse?

Answer 35

"Dark Ages" (c. 400-900). ## Footnote Petrarch believed this period represented a significant cultural decline.

Question 36

What was one of the most important aspects of the Italian Renaissance?

Answer 36

The revival of Greek philosophy and literature. ## Footnote It allowed Westerners to reconnect with classical heritage lost in the Middle Ages.

Question 37

Which ancient philosopher's writings were particularly influential during the Renaissance?

Answer 37

Plato (427-348 B.C.E.). ## Footnote Writers were fascinated by Plato's ideals of beauty and truth existing beyond sensory recognition.

Question 38

What does Pico della Mirandola's Oration on the Dignity of Man emphasize?

Answer 38

The positive Platonic view of human potential. ## Footnote It reflects the Renaissance belief in the ability to reason beyond sensory limits.

Question 39

What was the Florentine Platonic Academy known for?

Answer 39

Merging Platonic philosophy with Christianity to create Neoplatonism. ## Footnote It was sponsored by Cosimo d'Medici.

Question 40

What is Hermeticism?

Answer 40

A pantheistic philosophy stating that God is in everything and humans are divine. ## Footnote It relates to astrology, alchemy, and the Kabbalah.

Question 41

What was a common practice in the Middle Ages regarding classical works?

Answer 41

Familiarity with classical works often came from secondary commentaries rather than original texts. ## Footnote Petrarch sought to read the originals directly.

Question 42

Who was Cicero and why was he significant to Petrarch?

Answer 42

Cicero was an important politician and philosopher whose writings detail the collapse of the Roman Republic. ## Footnote Petrarch aimed to emulate Cicero's brilliant Latin style.

Question 43

What did Petrarch argue regarding classical works and Christianity?

Answer 43

He contended that classical works contain universal lessons applicable to his Christian age. ## Footnote Petrarch did not reject Christianity despite his fascination with classical culture.

Question 44

Who were the civic humanists?

Answer 44

A group of wealthy young Florentines inspired by Petrarch. ## Footnote They used their classical education for public good as diplomats or in government.

Question 45

What is the Renaissance?

Answer 45

A cultural movement that began in Italy, characterized by a revival of classical learning and values.

Question 46

Who is considered the father of Humanism?

Answer 46

Petrarch (1304-1374).

Question 47

What significant work did Castiglione produce?

Answer 47

The Courtier (1528).

Question 48

What is a 'Renaissance Man'?

Answer 48

A person who knows several languages, is familiar with classical literature, and is skilled in the arts.

Question 49

What did Lorenzo Valla prove in 1440?

Answer 49

That the Donation of Constantine could not have been written by Constantine due to anachronistic language.

Question 50

What is the significance of the word 'fief' in Valla's argument?

Answer 50

It was not used until the 8th century, indicating the Donation of Constantine was a forgery.

Question 51

What critical analysis did Valla apply to the Vulgate Bible?

Answer 51

He showed that Jerome had mistranslated critical passages from Greek sources.

Question 52

How did women's education change during the Renaissance?

Answer 52

An increasing number of wealthy, secular women learned to read and write.

Question 53

What was Christine de Pisan's contribution to women's rights?

Answer 53

She wrote The City of Ladies (1405) to argue against the notion of women's inferiority.

Question 54

What is a key theme in Christine de Pisan's work?

Answer 54

Women must carve out their own space to flourish.

Question 55

How did Renaissance artists differ from those in the Middle Ages?

Answer 55

They sought prestige and money, competing for patronage as important individuals.

Question 56

What was a notable architectural achievement of the Early Renaissance?

Answer 56

Filippo Brunelleschi's dome over the Cathedral of Florence.

Question 57

What classical motifs influenced Renaissance architecture?

Answer 57

Simple symmetrical decorations and classical columns.

Question 58

True or False: Renaissance art primarily focused on spiritual messages.

Answer 58

False.

Question 59

Fill in the blank: The Renaissance is characterized by a revival of _______.

Answer 59

[classical learning and values].

Question 60

What did Petrarch seek to study during the Renaissance?

Answer 60

Classical texts and literature.