This article briefly covers the period, people and ideas the lead up to the Italian Renaissance. In Florence, a hot spot of commercial activity and feuding families — the Renaissance sprung to life under patronage of the ruling Medici family.
The Renaissance is still felt today
From the Renaissance to modern times, we’ve seen a general decline in religious influence and an increase in individualistic lifestyles.
The Renaissance was, in part, the antithesis of the Dark Ages. The Dark Ages were ushered in after the collapse of Rome. Feudalism developed as landowners took up the necessity of protecting their land and local peasants. Religion thrived in this atmosphere of uncertainty. Individualism was snuffed out as people relied on each other to survive.
As wealth and security increased, Feudalism began to wane under the pressure of rising nation-states like France, England, Spain, and the Holy Roman Empire. The culture of spirituality and conservative waned as stability and commerce improved.
A few individuals are credited with laying the intellectual framework for this incredible era in…
