European History - The Renaissance in Italy :: European Europe History

The renascence in ItalyThe Italian Renaissance was called the starting clip of the modern age. The word Renaissance itself is derived from the Latin word rinascere, which means to be reborn. Many dramatic changes occurred during this time in the fields of philosophy, art, politics, and literature. New speech pattern was placed on enjoying life and the world around you. Talented individuals sought-after(a) self-gratification through art, literature, and architecture, and their achievments would influence future generations for centuries to come. This great new exploit was originated and centered in Italy, and without Italian contribution, would never have launched European orderliness into the dawning of a new era.At the beginning of the Renaissance, Italy was divided into rough 250 self- governing city-states, ranging from small towns of 2,000 individuals, to some of the largest cities in Europe of that time, such(prenominal) as Florence, Milan, and Venice, each with 100,000 ci tizens each. These city-states were loosely organized under the Pope, sentiment out of Rome, although he had no real political control over the divided Italy. During the mid- 1300s and betimes 1400s, many large Italian cities came under the control of one family, such as the Visconti and later the Sforza families in Milan. The form of government established by the ruling families of the various Italian cities came to be known as signoria, with the brain official being called the signore. Soon , elaborate court systems, controlled by the ruling families, began to spring up in each city-state. At these courts, leading artists, intellectuals, and politicians self-contained under the sponsorship of the signore and families.Other city states had a form of republicanism, such as Florence and Venice did. In these cities, a group of upper class families controlled the government, and often looked slash upon the common residents of the town, considering them to be inferior. A Venetian o bserver wrote about Florence during this timeThey are never content with their constitution, they are never quiet, and it seems that this city constantly desires change of constitution as so the government changes every xv years(Cole p.218)In Florence, which is perhaps considered the most important center of Renaissance learning in history, the Medici family dominated the ruling class. Under Medici domination, Florence became a signorial indicator and a cultural gem stone. It was during the reign of Lorenzo de Medici , that many great painters, sculptors, and architects flocked to the Medici family flavour for sponsorship, knowing that Lorenzo was a great supporter of the arts.