The Italian Renaissance

The Renaissance began in the late medieval period and continued into the early modern period (about 1350–1600). It is known as the rebirth of classical Greek and Roman art, literature, architecture, and philosophy. During this time, scholars and artists revived ancient ideas and became more focused on human beings and human potential, rather than viewing life only through the teachings of the medieval Church. The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1450 made books more widely available, since they no longer had to be copied by hand. As a result, major classical works were printed and shared, allowing people to exchange and discuss new ideas more easily.