What are humanities? The study of history, literature, public speaking, and art, subjects that emphasized the actions and abilities of humans. The study of the humanities led to a new way of thinking and learning known as humanism.
Trading Centers
- Florence
- Genoa
- Milan
- Venice
Look at the map! Notice that in the 1300's Italy was not a single country. Instead, it was made up of independent states. These states had different forms of government. For example, Venice was a republic, What is a republic? A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch. While the pope ruled the Papal States as a monarchy. While in other big Italian cities, a single rich merchant family controlled the government. This cities competed against each other to see whose city could grow richest from trade. They also competed for fame. Each one wanted to be known as powerful, wise, and devoted to his city.
Italian cities played two very important roles in trade. One role was as ports on the Mediterranean Sea. Venice and Genoa were Italy’s main port cities. Merchant ships brought spices and other luxuries from Asia into the cities’ harbors. From there, merchants shipped the goods across Europe. The other role was as manufacturing centers. Cities specialized in certain crafts. Venice produced glass. Workers in Milan made weapons and silk. Florence was a center for weaving wool into cloth. All of this economic activity put more money in merchants’ pockets.
Most of Europe was a Monarch. What is a Monarch? Sovereign head of state (King or Queen)
Why do you think Italy was able to flourish during the Renaissance?
Most of Europe was a Monarch. What is a Monarch? Sovereign head of state (King or Queen)
Why do you think Italy was able to flourish during the Renaissance?
- Trade
- Republic
- Humanities
Cosimo de' Medici
(1389-1464)
(1389-1464)
Although Florence’s wealth began with the wool trade, banking increased that wealth. Bankers in Florence kept money for merchants from all over Europe. The bankers made money by charging interest. Interest is a fee that borrowers pay for the use of someone else’s money. This fee is usually a certain percentage of the loan.
Rulers of Florence The Medici family were wool merchants and bankers. Both businesses were very profitable and the family became extremely wealthy. Giovanni de' Medici first brought the family to prominence in Florence by starting the Medici bank. He also was the leader of the Florence merchants. His son, Cosimo de' Medici became the Gran maestro (leader) of the Florence city-state in 1434. The Medici family ruled Florence for the next 200 years until 1737. Leaders of the Renaissance The Medici are most famous for their patronage of the arts. Patronage is where a wealthy person or family sponsors artists. They would pay artists commissions for major works of art. The Medici patronage had a huge impact on the Renaissance, allowing artists to focus on their work without having to worry about money. A significant amount of the art and architecture that was produced in Florence at the beginning of the Renaissance was due to the Medici. Early on they supported the painter Masaccio and helped pay the architect Brunelleschi to rebuild the Basilica of San Lorenzo. Other famous artists that the Medici supported include Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello, and Leonardo da Vinci. The Medici didn't just support the arts and architecture. They also supported science. They supported the famous scientist Galileo Galilei in his scientific efforts. Galileo also worked as a tutor for the Medici children. Bankers The Medici owed much of their wealth and power to the Medici Bank. It made them one of the richest families in all of Europe. It was the largest bank in Europe at its peak and was very well respected. The bank made notable improvements in accounting procedures including the development of the double-entry bookkeeping system.
Rulers of Florence The Medici family were wool merchants and bankers. Both businesses were very profitable and the family became extremely wealthy. Giovanni de' Medici first brought the family to prominence in Florence by starting the Medici bank. He also was the leader of the Florence merchants. His son, Cosimo de' Medici became the Gran maestro (leader) of the Florence city-state in 1434. The Medici family ruled Florence for the next 200 years until 1737. Leaders of the Renaissance The Medici are most famous for their patronage of the arts. Patronage is where a wealthy person or family sponsors artists. They would pay artists commissions for major works of art. The Medici patronage had a huge impact on the Renaissance, allowing artists to focus on their work without having to worry about money. A significant amount of the art and architecture that was produced in Florence at the beginning of the Renaissance was due to the Medici. Early on they supported the painter Masaccio and helped pay the architect Brunelleschi to rebuild the Basilica of San Lorenzo. Other famous artists that the Medici supported include Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello, and Leonardo da Vinci. The Medici didn't just support the arts and architecture. They also supported science. They supported the famous scientist Galileo Galilei in his scientific efforts. Galileo also worked as a tutor for the Medici children. Bankers The Medici owed much of their wealth and power to the Medici Bank. It made them one of the richest families in all of Europe. It was the largest bank in Europe at its peak and was very well respected. The bank made notable improvements in accounting procedures including the development of the double-entry bookkeeping system.
Filippo Brunelleschi
(1377-1446)
(1377-1446)