5.3.1 The growth of city-states The Renaissance thrived in Italy from the fifteenth century, especially in city-states such as Florence, Genoa and Venice, whose industry and trade increased during the period. These cities were at the crossroads of trade routes linking Europe, the Middle East and Asia. This central position allowed for the exchange of ideas and products, and interaction between people. From Italy, the Renaissance spread to northern Europe, especially after 1445 when books started to be printed in Europe. During the Renaissance, Italy was divided into independent city-states (see SOURCE1 ). A city-state is an independent urban centre and the surrounding countryside, including small towns, which was governed by its own laws and political system. City-states were run by a variety of political systems, including republics such as Florence, Venice, Lucca and Siena in which political power was shared between eligible citizens. Others were controlled by single hereditary rulers, such as Naples, which was ruled by a king, and Milan, which was ruled by a duke. The city-states were often at war with each other and competed for status. For example, Leonardo Bruni wrote glowingly of his adopted home Florence in SOURCE2 .
SOURCE2 From Leonardo Bruni, Panegyric to the city of Florence, 1403–04
What about the splendour of the architecture, the buildings, the cleanliness, the wealth, the great population, the healthfulness, and pleasantness of the site? What more can a city desire? Nothing at all.
SkillBuilder discussion Using historical sources 1. What aspects of Florence does Leonardo Bruni praise in his writing? 2. Why do you think Bruni describes Florence as having “great wealth” and “healthfulness”? 3. What can we learn about how people viewed Florence during the Renaissance from Bruni’s description?
5.3.2 The rise of the patron Historians believe that the Renaissance began in Italy in the 1300s with a renewed interest in the ideas of classical Greece and Rome. Francesco Petrarch was one of the first Italian thinkers to translate these works, including the works of Cicero and Livy. Greek scholars, including Manuel Chrysoloras, moved to Italy, bringing with them ancient manuscripts and teaching Greek in the schools and universities of Italy. Growing trade with the East and new industries made a new group of medieval people wealthy. These businesspeople, who made their money in trade, banking and cloth production, wanted to demonstrate their education and values, and beautify their city-states. To do this, they commissioned art, architecture, literature and music. The desire to imitate and surpass the ancient civilisations of Greece and Rome led to developments in art, architecture, literature, music, philosophy , education and science. These patrons had a significant role in the development and spread of the ideas of the Renaissance, as they were able to use their knowledge and wealth to influence the work created. Artists and intellectuals often moved from place to place in search of a patron, spreading the ideas of the Renaissance across Italy and later into Europe.
Jacaranda Humanities Alive 8 Victorian Curriculum Third Edition
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