The Italian Renaissance marks an important turning point in human history. Just as the Germanic invasions of the fifth century of our era marked the end of the Classical Period of history and ushered in the Middle Ages, so the Renaissance is the beginning of our own Modern Period of history and marks the ending of the Middle Ages. There are some contemporary scholars who have suggested that we are now in a post-modern period, but, if so, whatever new age may be in the works, its characteristics have not become clear. In most ways, our age continues to be a product of the Renaissance.
What, then, is the Renaissance and why did it begin in Italy? One can often define an age, era, epoch, or period by comparing and contrasting it to another. The Middle Ages were an Age of Faith. In the West, the religion of Christianity gave definition to the Middle Ages. The search for salvation was the primary motivation for most people within Christendom. The Middle Ages was God-centered. In contrast, the Renaissance, and the Modern Period of which it is a part , is man-centered. It is secular rather than spiritual. This does not mean that religion and salvation are not important today, but they are not the focal point of most people’s lives.
The Middle Ages were a relatively static period. Society was predominantly agrarian. It was ruled by a warrior nobility. Manorialism provided the economic underpinnings and feudalism gave a limited political stability. The Roman Catholic Church with its priests, monks, and bishops formed the First Estate. The pope was not only a spiritual leader but a powerful political force. During the High Middle Ages, medieval towns and feudal monarchy added further elements to what has been called the Medieval Synthesis. The ideal of the Middle Ages was a universal Church within a universal Empire. While never realized, it remained an ideal.
What, then, is the Renaissance and why did it begin in Italy? One can often define an age, era, epoch, or period by comparing and contrasting it to another. The Middle Ages were an Age of Faith. In the West, the religion of Christianity gave definition to the Middle Ages. The search for salvation was the primary motivation for most people within Christendom. The Middle Ages was God-centered. In contrast, the Renaissance, and the Modern Period of which it is a part , is man-centered. It is secular rather than spiritual. This does not mean that religion and salvation are not important today, but they are not the focal point of most people’s lives.
The Middle Ages were a relatively static period. Society was predominantly agrarian. It was ruled by a warrior nobility. Manorialism provided the economic underpinnings and feudalism gave a limited political stability. The Roman Catholic Church with its priests, monks, and bishops formed the First Estate. The pope was not only a spiritual leader but a powerful political force. During the High Middle Ages, medieval towns and feudal monarchy added further elements to what has been called the Medieval Synthesis. The ideal of the Middle Ages was a universal Church within a universal Empire. While never realized, it remained an ideal.