The Rebirth is Here! Trivia Quiz

Answer: Italy

There are many reasons the Renaissance began in Italy; most obviously, the remnants of a flourishing ancient civilization were apparent, along with urban areas that were larger than ones left in other European areas. While Italy was splintered into a variety of states, a spirit of economic and political competition existed. Rather than being held down by the obsolete principals of feudalism, the city-states of Italy had moved more toward trade and commerce. Most importantly, perhaps, is the fact that Italian sailors traded with nearby peoples: the Mediterranean was in effect a great highway for trade.

While trading, Italian merchants began to come into contact with learning and ideas that led to a change in thinking - the Renaissance had begun!

Answer: 14th Century

Although it is a much-debated topic, most historians agree that the Renaissance began in approximately 1350. This date, therefore, also marks the beginning of the decline of the Middle Ages. What was going on in 1350 that would have sparked a new era? The pope had moved to France, so that meant there was more freedom from the control of the Church in Italy.

It must be remembered that during the Middle Ages, the Church held enormous control over all the people. They were convinced that the only way to overcome of the misery of the lives was to follow everything the Church told them to do, so that they could die and go to heaven.

In fact, many celebrated their "birthday" as the day they died and went to heaven. How sad! Okay, let's review what we have so far! The Renaissance began in Italy because of the influence felt by the remnants of the old Roman Empire, and the fact that many urban centers remained somewhat intact.

In addition, these urban centers competed for wealth and power, and continued to trade with nearby people. For a brief period, unhampered by the strict control of the Catholic Church, secular ideas began to form. New ideas, acquired from trading partners were interesting and welcome.

Answer: Florence

While some historians would argue that the Renaissance began in Florence because of the wealth and influence of the Medici family there, the truth of the matter is that the Renaissance began there before the Medici became powerful. Other historians might claim that it was just a matter of luck that some of the great Renaissance people were born near Florence. Florence was one of the leading commercial centers of Italy, and had already acquired great wealth through trade by the beginning of the Renaissance.

In addition, the new ideas that were being brought there, along with commercial goods, had great influence. People began to realize that there was more to life that dying and going to heaven.

Answer: Greeks and Romans

Renaissance scholars first sought the works of Latin scholars, perhaps because those works were a bit easier to find. The Greek works, however, were not as easy to find; scholars were going to have to dig a bit deeper to find the ancient Greek literature, philosophy, and historical works.

In 1396, the scholar, Manuel Chrysoloras, was invited to come to Florence for the purpose of teaching Greek. By this time the Renaissance was well underway!

Answer: Humanism

It was during the Renaissance that humanists, considered by most to be the leading philosophers of the time, began to uncover the beliefs of the ancient Greeks and Romans. Rather than discounting them as pagan ideas, the humanists began to uncover these beliefs and incorporate them into their vision of art, literature, and moral philosophy, to name a few. Rather than thinking, writing, and painting to glorify God, those involved in the Renaissance movement saw their results as coming from the genius and ability that God had given to mankind. Francesco Petrarch, considered to be the father of humanism, is believed to have been the first to call the Middle Ages, the "Dark Ages", believing it to be an unenlightened time; it was his rediscovery of the Roman philosopher Cicero's letters that many believe led Petrarch to his belief in humanism.

Answer: Constantinople

It was much easier to find the learning of the ancient Romans in continental Europe, than it was to find the knowledge left behind by the ancient Greeks; during the Middle Ages much of that information had been studied, preserved, taught, and used by Byzantine scholars who lived in the Eastern Roman Empire.

The Crusades, fought between Muslims and Christians, which had begun late in the eleventh century, had opened up the door to that learning, and ideas, as well as manuscripts, that began to find their way to Italy.

The 1396 invitation of the scholar, Manuel Chrysoloras, to come to Florence to teach Greek, perhaps, opened the floodgates!

Answer: Manufacturing

Although the Renaissance brought changes in some areas of life, manufacturing continued to exist as it was until the Industrial Revolution in the late 1700s. The majority of items were hand-made in the home using the domestic system, which was also called "putting-out".

Many times raw materials were provided by merchants to people who manufactured items in their homes; families would supplement their income from farming by making other items, especially in the winter.

Answer: French

The term "Renaissance" is a French word that means "rebirth", and was used by Jules Michelet, a French historian, in his 1855 "Histoire de France". It is believed that Renaissance ideas reached France in approximately 1495, after King Charles VIII had invaded Italy. Probably the best French Renaissance importation was Leonardo da Vinci! He was invited by the king, Francis I, to come and live at Amboise in 1516, and he spent the last three years of his life at Clos Lucé, which was the manor house on the estate. Have you ever wondered why "Mona Lisa" is in the Louvre today?

Answer: True

Although the Roman Catholic Church was all-powerful during the Middle Ages, the rediscovery of Greek and Roman philosophy, developing ideas of humanism, and turmoil in the Church led to the growth of new denominations of Christians - eventually. It wasn't, however, easy; the Catholic Church had a powerful hold on life and was unwilling to relinquish power.

The Inquisition had been established to stamp out heresy, and the new Protestant teachings were considered heresy, even though (in the beginning) the intention was to reform the Church, not to begin new ones.

In spite of the nasty techniques used by the court, new groups began to form and prosper.

Answer: False

The Renaissance was a cultural and intellectual movement that did eventually lead to important social and political changes. Those people who were directly involved in the movement did believe that they were living in a new age that was nothing like the Middle Ages.

Many historians believe, however, that the poverty and hardship suffered by the common people during the Middle Ages was intensified during the Renaissance. Rather than seeing the time as a golden age in history, it is perhaps better viewed as a time of transition from the Middle Ages to the modern age.