Key Events, Concepts, People (Chapter 12): Feudalism: A social and economic system in the middle ages.

Social classes were arranged in a hierarchy with those holding the most position and land at the top. Each feudal unit became selfsufficient and far from other feudal units. Humanism: Backbone of the Renaissance. Emphasized personal achievement and becoming respectable in many fields of study. Celebrated the works of ancient Greece and Rome. Neo-Platonism: Sought to blend the ideas of humanism with the ideas of the church. This became a way that artists rationalized and defended their secular works. Papal Nephew: The popes illegitimate children were given power and position in the government. Nepotism was one reason that the morality of the church was questioned in this time period. The Prince: Written by Niccolo Machiavelli, was a guide book for rulers. The means were justified by the end goal. People must fear their ruler rather than love him. Published in 1513. Boccaccio: Wrote Decameron which was a collection of 100 stories set during the Black Plague in Europe. Studies the traditions, customs, and opinions of each social class. Lucrezia Borgia: Daughter of Pope Alexander VI. He used her to gain political and economic advantage through an arranged marriage. Botticelli: An artist sponsored by Medici in Florence, Italy. His works are examples of NeoPlatonism. Brunelleschi: One of the greatest sculptors and architects of his time. Designed the dome of the cathedral of Florence. Charles V: Holy Roman Emperor during this time period. He eventually gained control over much of Italy in the settlement of Bologna in 1513. Isabella dEste: Probably the most powerful woman of the Renaissance. Mastered Greek and Latin and learned the works of many scholars. She also excelled in the arts such as performing, singing, and dancing. Leonardo da Vinci: Perhaps the greatest figure of the Renaissance time period. Excelled in painting, sculpting, biology, engineering, and many other fields. Painted the most famous portrait ever, the Mona Lisa. Donatello: A famous sculptor in this time period. Created the statue of David. Created the first bronze statue of the Renaissance- a statue of a man riding horseback.

Ghiberti: Famous sculptor. Created techniques for showing perspective. Sculpted a pair of bronze doors for the church of Florence. Giotto: One of the first painters of the Renaissance. Focused on perspective and realism- did ground breaking work on both. Johann Gutenberg: Invented the first printing press in Germany in 1454. He also printed the first book, the Gutenberg Bible. This ushered in the idea of printing and mass spread of media. Medici: A rich family in Florence, Italy. Controlled the banking system there and eventually their branch of banks spread throughout all of Europe. Enabled the economics to grow and the bottom social class to experience comfort. Michelangelo: One of the greatest artists of the High Renaissance. Carved the Pieta and painted the ceilings of the Sistine Chapel. Raphael: Painted School of Athens, an imaginary assembly of famous philosophers.