Prelude to the Italian Renaissance
This article briefly covers the period, people, and ideas that led up to the Italian Renaissance. In Florence, a hot spot of commercial activity and feuding families — the Renaissance sprang to life under the patronage of the ruling Medici family. The Renaissance is still felt today From the Renaissance to modern times, we’ve seen a general decline in religious influence and an increase in individualistic lifestyles. The Renaissance was, in part, the antithesis of the Dark Ages. The Dark Ages were ushered in after the collapse of Rome. Feudalism developed as landowners took up the necessity of protecting their land and local peasants. Religion thrived in this atmosphere of uncertainty. Individualism was snuffed out as people relied on each other to survive. ...