The Hidden Figures Behind Europe s Greatest Era The Renaissance

The European Renaissance – An Introduction After a series of tragedies during the late Middle Ages, like the Great Famine, the Black Death, the Peasant Revolt and the Hundred Years' War, Europe saw a period of cultural, artistic and economic growth and change. The period of history between the 14th and 17th century became known as the Renaissance, a word that means revival or rebirth. It is considered one of the most important events in European history and has had a lasting influence on Western culture and shaped our world today. The period is marked by a renewed interest in classical antiquity. People during this time sought to emulate the achievements of ancient Greece and Rome in terms of art, architecture, government, science and literature. During this time, many famous Renaissance artists emerged. Michelangelo Buonarroti was one of the greatest Italian Renaissance artists and is best known for his masterpieces such as the Sistine Chapel ceiling frescoes and the Pietà. Leonardo da Vinci was a multi-talented figure of the Renaissance who excelled in many fields, including painting, sculpture, architecture and engineering. He is best known for his most famous works such as The Last Supper and Mona Lisa. The Renaissance was a period of great architectural development. Filippo Brunelleschi was a renowned architect who used revolutionary building techniques that allowed architects to construct much larger and more complex structures than ever before, like the dome of the Florence Cathedral, the first large-scale masonry dome in history. The Renaissance also saw a resurgence of interest in literature, with authors such as Dante Alighieri, who is best known for his epic poem The Divine Comedy, considered to be one of the greatest works of literature in history. Niccolò Machiavelli was an Italian historian, philosopher and statesman who published The Prince, a handbook for rulers on how to acquire and maintain power. This period also saw the growth of representative government as more power was given to elected officials rather than appointed ones. Galileo Galilei was an Italian physicist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher who made significant contributions to the scientific revolution. His discoveries included heliocentrism, the idea the Earth revolves around the Sun, telescopic astronomy and the laws of motion. Furthermore, people believed in humanism and individualism. They valued personal freedom and the pursuit of one's own interests. The Renaissance also saw an increase in travel and trade. During this time, European explorers such as Vasco da Gama and Giancabbo set out to explore the world beyond Europe's boundaries. These expeditions helped to open new trade routes to North Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Christopher Columbus was an Italian explorer who is best known for his voyages to the Americas in 1492. The Renaissance is a very important period of history, as it set in motion many developments which have shaped our modern world.