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'''The Renaissance''' was a cultural “rebirth” that began in [[Florence]], [[Italy]], but spread to all of Europe from about 1300 to 1600 (1700 in Northern Europe

'''The Renaissance''' was a cultural “rebirth” that began in [[Florence]], [[Italy]], but spread to all of Europe from about 1300 to 1600 (1700 in Northern Europe

During this time period, Europeans experienced a renewed interest in classical [[Greeks|Greek]] and [[Roman]] civilization, and subsequently, in learning science, mathematics, literature, the arts and philosophy.  [[Christianity]] played a strong role in the renaissance as can be seen [[Christianity and Science|in its influence in the birth of modern science]]. The term “[[Renaissance man]]” has come to mean a person who is remarkably well-rounded and learned in every subject, as this is what was expected of men during the Renaissance of the Nobility.   

During this time period, Europeans experienced a renewed interest in classical Greek and Roman civilization, and subsequently, in learning science, mathematics, literature, the arts and philosophy.  Christianity played a strong role in the renaissance as can be seen [[Christianity and Science|in its influence in the birth of modern science]]. The term “[[Renaissance man]]” has come to mean a person who is remarkably well-rounded and learned in every subject, as this is what was expected of men during the Renaissance of the Nobility.   

*[http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Renaissance_Terms Renaissance Terms (1300s - 1600s)]

*[http://www.conservapedia.com/index.php?title=Renaissance_Terms Renaissance Terms (1300s - 1600s)]

[[Image: duomoflorence.jpg|thumb|left|320px|[[The Duomo]] of the [[The Duomo|Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral]] in [[Florence]]]]  

[[Image: duomoflorence.jpg|thumb|left|320px|[[The Duomo]] of the [[The Duomo|Santa Maria del Fiore Cathedral]] in [[Florence]]]]  

The Northern city-states of [[Italy]] were a perfect location for the Renaissance to occur, as [[Italian culture]] was built off of classical Greek and Roman civilization.  They had become important and wealthy locations selling and trading during the [[Crusades]], and [[Muslim]] and [[Byzantine]] learning had been brought to Italy also during the Crusades.  Florence in particular was home to wealthy families willing to finance artists, mainly the prominent [[Medici]] family.  Lastly, the fierce competition that existed between the different city-states brought out the best in people and created an environment in which initiative and creativity flourished.

The northern city-states of Italy were a perfect location for the Renaissance to occur, as [[Italian culture]] was built off of classical Greek and Roman civilization.  They had become important and wealthy locations selling and trading during the [[Crusades]], and [[Muslim]] and [[Byzantine]] learning had been brought to Italy also during the Crusades.  Florence in particular was home to wealthy families willing to finance artists, mainly the prominent [[Medici]] family.  Lastly, the fierce competition that existed between the different city-states brought out the best in people and created an environment in which initiative and creativity flourished.

This quote by [[Leon Battista Alberti]], "men can do all things if they will" sums up the spirit of the Renaissance well.  Three philosophies emerged during the Renaissance: [[individualism]], humanism and secularism.  All three contained similarities and overlapped with one another to form the main philosophy, humanism.

This quote by [[Leon Battista Alberti]], "men can do all things if they will" sums up the spirit of the Renaissance well.  Three philosophies emerged during the Renaissance: [[individualism]], humanism and secularism.  All three contained similarities and overlapped with one another to form the main philosophy, humanism.

=='''Artists'''==

=='''Artists'''==

The most lasting legacy of the Renaissance was probably the outstanding artwork it produced.  Especially in Florence and [[Rome]], master artists emerged who produced astonishing works of art in [[sculpture]], painting and architecture.  The competitive spirit of the Italian city-states as well as the enormous wealth of families willing to patronize created a perfect environment for the flourishing of art.   

The most lasting legacy of the Renaissance was probably the outstanding artwork it produced.  Especially in Florence and [[Rome]], master artists emerged who produced astonishing works of art in sculpture, painting and architecture.  The competitive spirit of the Italian city-states as well as the enormous wealth of families willing to patronize created a perfect environment for the flourishing of art.   

[[Image: michelangelopieta.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Michelangelo's ''The Pietà'']]   

[[Image: michelangelopieta.jpg|thumb|right|300px|Michelangelo's ''The Pietà'']]   

==Organization==

==Organization==

The Renaissance Society of America formed in 1954 with about 700 members. It now has several thousand, and held its 54th annual meeting at the Renaissance Hotel in Chicago, 3-5 April 2008.<ref> The [http://www.rsa.org/pdfs/2008/2008ProgramBook.pdf 2008 program is online]</ref>  

The Renaissance Society of America formed in 1954 with about 700 members. It now has several thousand, and held its 54th annual meeting at the Renaissance Hotel in Chicago, 3-5 April 2008.<ref> The [http://www.rsa.org/pdfs/2008/2008ProgramBook.pdf 2008 program is online]; [http://www.rsa.org/meetings/past2009.php the 2009 program is online]; [http://www.rsa.org/meetings/annualmeeting.php the 2010 meeting will be in Venice]</ref>  

== See also ==

== See also ==