Renaissance+and+Reformation





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The word Renaissance literally means rebirth. The Italians believed it was a rebirth of the Greek and Roman classic culture. The Italian Renaissance was born in 1350 and lasted until 1550. The Italian Renaissance was a period in European history that began in Italy and spread to Europe. The Renaissance had a big role in help healing after the tragedies of the fourteenth century such as the plague, the Church losing a great amount of power, and a unstable political system. As a result of this, many great people began to rise.

The Renaissance is highly recognized for its beautiful art and literature. Leonardo da Vinci was a painter, sculptor, architect, inventor, and a mathematician. Leonardo was the creator of the popular work of art known as The Last Supper. Another one of his works is the Mona Lisa. This painting is the most famous painting in the world. Another well known artist from this Era is Michelangelo. Michelangelo was an artist, sculptor, and architect. Some poplar sculptors of his are the ones of Moses and David. He is also well known for his painting on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in Rome. His goal with this masterpiece was to show the ideal type of human being because the more beautiful the body was, the more god like the figure became. When he was 25 years old, Raphael had already been known as one of the best painters in Italy. His work with Madonnas or representations of the Virgin Mary were detailed in a way that is not quite understood. Another one of his paintings is the School of Athens. In the painting, it shows great people from Greece and Rome coming together in balance, harmony, and order. Art wasn't the only thing common in the Renaissance, literature was too.

Dante was an Italian writer in the fourteenth century. The Divine Comedy is his masterpiece. This is a story of how the soul travels through Hell, Purgatory, and then finally reaches Heaven. Dante is lead through these three places on an imaginary journey until he reaches his final goal in Heaven. Another author from this period is a man named Chaucer. His famous work is The Canterbury Tales. This story is a bunch of stories being told by pilgrims as they journey to the tomb of Saint Thomas a Becket. A woman author from this Era is Christine de Pizan. She writes her books defending women. The Book of the City of Ladies was written by her in 1401. She stated that many male writers have said that women are unable to learn and are easily swayed. In this book Christine de Pizan defends women by saying they can learn just as well as men. Machiaveli's The Prince is known for its influence on political power. The main points in this book is to gain and then keep political power. Another author known for expressing ideas about power is Baldassare Castiglione. In his book "The book of the Courtier", he describes what the perfect noble should be like. All of these artists and authors from the Renaissance played a huge role in shaping art and literature today.

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 * __People__**
 * 1. William Shakespeare:** He was the greatest writer in the Renaissance Era. Some of his works are Romeo and Juliet, MacBeth, and Hamlet.
 * 2. Martin Luther:** He was a monk who was greatly upset by the selling of indulgences. On October 31, 1517, he sent a list of Ninety-five Theses to his church superiors.
 * 3. Leonardo da Vinci:** He created The Last Super and the Mona Lisa. The Mona Lisa is the most famous painting in the world and was sold to King Francis I of France.
 * 4. Michelangelo:** He created sculptures of Moses and David. He also painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in St. Peters Cathedral.
 * 5. Lorenzo Medici:** He was known as "The Magnificent'. Also he ruled Florence from 1469-1492. He was the starter of the ambassadors program.


 * " Since then Your Majesty and your lordships desire a simple reply, I will answer without horns and without teeth. Unless I am convicted by Scripture and plain reason- I do not accept the authority of popes and councils, for they have contradicted each other- my conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything, for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe. Here I stand, I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen" - Martin Luther**

media type="custom" key="12038631" Michelangelo This link is about Michelangelo's life from when he was young to his year as a famous artist. Niccolo MachiavelliThis is about Niccolo Machiavelli's life and the books he has written. Fresco This site gives steps information and instructions on how to paint frescos. Ninety-five Theses This website shows what all of the ninety-five theses were. Lutheranism This is website gives information about Lutheranism and what exactly it is.
 * __Vocab__**
 * Predestination:** The belief that God has determined in advance who will be saved (the elect) and who will be damned (the reprobate). This was also called the "eternal decree" by Calvin
 * Salvation:** The state of being saved (that is, going to heaven) through faith alone or through faith and good works. The process for this became almost mechanical.
 * Indulgence:** A release from all of part of punishment for sin by the Catholic Church, reducing time in purgatory after death. Martin Luther was against them and worked to get rid of them.
 * Fresco:** A painting done on fresh, wet plaster with water-based paints. The first ones were painted by Masaccio in Florence at the beginning of the fifteenth century and were regarded as the first masterpieces of the early Renaissance.
 * Mercenaries:** A soldier who sells his services to the highest bidder. The leader of them was Francesco Sforza and he had just conquered the city of Milan and became its new duke.
 * __Links__**