The Italian Renaissance; Italy

Italy

The Italian Renaissance was an interesting period that brought important inventions and reignited ancient ideas in the modern world’s collective memory. I decided to read and write about this book because I wanted a basic summary and a basic understanding of the Italian Renaissance.

The Italian Renaissance was based on European dominance, trade, economic prowess, and science. The Italian renaissance was held back by religion, which conflicted against it every once in a while. Science was viewed as a “pandora’s box.” The Italian Renaissance was a game changing moment in European history which was only possible because of the European dominance throughout the world; including slave labor.

The global Italian Renaissance wasn’t just impacted by what was happening in Europe. The Ottoman’s, Mamluk’s and Persian’s had valuable: goods, art and scientific inventions that would add value to Europe. At this time in European history the European’s were asserting themselves throughout the global world.[1] They also were conquering, taking slaves and creating colonies.[2] The Italian’s were some of the wealthiest cities in the world, however they were fragmented city states. The Renaissance saw an increase in religion versus science conflicts.

The Renaissance saw the beginnings of scientific invention, including scientific methods and other scientific discoveries; some of which were highly controversial to the religious sector of the medieval world. Scientific studies include the New World, plants and animals, the printing press, the scientific method and finally, astronomy discoveries from the ancient Greek and Roman world. The entire study of modern day scientific subjects including: biology, physics, chemistry and astronomy was created or stepped upon massive developments due to the Italian Renaissance. The scientific developments were put up against the religious identity and religion. Scientists wondered, will I know too much?[3]  They believed that some of these discoveries would go against the churches’ teaching’s which would cause people to go to hell.

The Italian Renaissance was a key part of the cultural revolution’s that sparked and created the modern world. The invention of the scientific method allowed modern day science to be possible. It also included the economic wealth accumulation by Europe. Other things that are important to mention include: slavery, and the Middle East having legitimate advantages, valuable commodities and valuable art.

Citations:

Brotton, Jerry. The Renaissance: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006.

[1] Jerry Brotton, The Renaissance: A Very Short Introduction (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006), pg.19.

[2] Ibid. Pg. 20.

[3] Ibid 99