The Italian Renaissance (1330-1550)

Beginning of the Italian Renaissance

Apr 6, 1341

When Francesco Petrarch is crowned Poet Laureate, most historians believe this is the beginning of the Renaissance. A Poet Laureate, is a poet who is appointed by the government, who composes poems for special events or occasions. This event marked the transition from the Dark Age to the Modern age. Picture source:
"Sonnet VI (“Datemi Pace”) – Francesco Petrarch." Mockingbird. 6 June 2012. Web. 2 Oct. 2015.
http://www.mbird.com/2012/06/sonnet-vi-datemi-pace-francesco-petrarch/

An Italian Cardinal Moves to Florence

Jan 1, 1397

Giovanni de Medici moves to Florence. He becomes involved in the patronage of the arts and the public. This will help his son (Cosimo de Medici) come to power later on. The Medici line would produce 4 popes that would influence the Renaissance greatly. picture source:
"Cosimo, Lorenzo the Magnificent & the Medici of Florence - Renaissance Leaders." Cosimo, Lorenzo the Magnificent & the Medici of Florence - Renaissance Leaders. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.

Sculpting the Northern Doors of The Baptistery

Jan 1, 1401

One of the most impressive works of art during the Italian Renaissance, was the sculpting of the bronze doors of the baptistery, by Florentine artist Lorenzo Ghiberti. The doors depict stories from parts of the New Testiment and took 28 years to complete.
picture source: http://albertis-window.com/2010/07/ghibertis-north-doors-2/ "Alberti's Window." Albertis Window Ghibertis North Doors Comments. Web. 13 Oct. 2015.

The Papacy Returns to Rome

Jan 1, 1420

The Papacy returns to Rome in 1420 under the rule of Martin the 5th.The Papacy would rebuild the city and the papal states. It would also have economic power, which gave it a degree of power over the city for many years.
picture source:
"The America Needs Fatima Blog." : "The Renaissance Popes and the Catholic Faith..." Web. 27 Oct. 2015. http://americaneedsfatima.blogspot.com/2009/03/renaissance-popes-and-catholic-faith.html

Francesco Foscari Becomes Doge of Venice

Jan 1, 1423

A Doge is defined as the elected cheif of state lordship, acting as the ruler of the republic in many city-states.He would be Doge from 1423-1457.He would make an alliance with Florence and begin a war against the Duke of Milan, which would be stopped and resumed over the years. He was forced to resign after Constantinople fell and parts of Venice were taken over by the Turks. Picture source :
http://venezia.myblog.it/tag/conte-di-carmagnola/ "Venezia Nascosta." Venezia Nascosta. Web. 27 Oc

Cosimo de Medici Takes Over as Head of the Bank

Jan 1, 1429

After his father (Giovanni de Medici) dies, he would become head of the bank, gaining economic power. This would lead him to eventually gain political power, and within 5 years of this, he would lead the city, helping promote the arts. picture source: http://www.biography.com/people/cosimo-de-medici-38096 Bio.com. A&E Networks Television. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.

Pope Nicholas V Takes the Throne

Jan 1, 1447

When Pope Nicholas V takes the throne in Rome, he encourages many construction projects. In turn this encourages new progressions in art. Because of him, Rome will soon become a renaissance city. Picture source: http://www.atlantedellarteitaliana.it/artwork-8689.html "Atlante Dell'arte Italiana." Atlante Dell'arte Italiana. Web. 22 Oct. 2015.

Francesco Sforza Takes Control of Milan

Jan 1, 1450

Around this time Milan had a republican government until Francesco Sforza takes over and the government turns back to a monarchy. He would influence the Italian Renessaince with his connections he had with the Medici. picture source:
"Milan." Italian Renaissance Learning Resources. Web. 24 Oct. 2015.
http://italianrenaissanceresources.com/units/unit-8/essays/milan/

The Fall of Constantinople

Jan 1, 1453

When the Ottoman Turks take over Constantinople in 1453, this would begin an exodus of the Greek people. The Greeks would bring their differnt styles of art and literature to the Italian city-states, which would become one of the greatest influences of the renessaince. Specifically, they would bring their belief of Humanism, which would reflect in their art. picture source:
"Constantinople - LookLex Encyclopaedia." Constantinople - LookLex Encyclopaedia. Web. 24 Oct. 2015.

The First Book is Printed

Jan 1, 1454

Johann Gutenberg is credited with the invention of the printing press and would print the first book, which was the Gutenberg Bible. The invention of the printing press opened doors for new literature by making it more accessable to everyone. Picture source:
http://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2011/jun/21/indie-publisher "Johannes Gutenberg." Johannes Gutenberg. Web. 24 Oct. 2015.

Lorenzo de Medici Takes Power in Florence

Jan 1, 1464

Lorenzo de Medici was a patron of poets and artists. His rule would progress Florence into higher stages of the Renaissance because of this. picture source: http://www.themedicifamily.com/Lorenzo-de-Medici.html "Lorenzo De’ Medici." Lorenzo De Medici (Lorenzo the Magnificent). Web. 24 Oct. 2015.

900 Treatises

Jan 1, 1486

Pico publishes his collection of 900 treaties. The Italian Renaissance was an age of new ideas and Pico's treatises were just that. His philosophy in these treatites clashed with the ideas of the Catholic Church. One of these ideas being humanism, which the Church thought took away from the focus of God.
picture source: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Giovanni_Pico_della_Mirandola "Giovanni Pico Della Mirandola." - New World Encyclopedia. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.

The Medici are Forced to Flee

Jan 1, 1494

The Medici, who did so much for the progression of the Renaissance Era, are forced to flee Florence after Girolamo Savonarola begins to preach the teachings of simple faith. This would start an uprising against the Medici. However Savonarola would not continue his teachings for long and he would be burned as a heretic in 1495.
picture source:
http://whenintime.com/EventDetails.aspx?e=e98f1052-e7eb-4ae7-8137-a45abc2bbc81&t=/tl/eortiz/ottoman_empire/ "Browse Whenintime Timelines." Browse Wh

Pope Julius II Takes the Papal Throne

Jan 1, 1503

The Roman Golden age will begin during this time and the city and Papacy will both rule with prosperity for many years. The Papacy would help Rome in rebuilding the city. Pope Julius II would commission Michelangelo to paint the Sistine Chapel ceiling, Raphael to paint the Stanze di Raffaello in the Vatican, and Bramante to begin the new St. Peter's Basilica.
picture source: http://www.luminarium.org/encyclopedia/julius2.htm "Pope Julius II." Pope Julius II. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.

Pope Leo X Takes Control After Julius II

Jan 1, 1513

After Pope Leo X ascends the throne, Rome continues to prosper in its Golden Age. He proves to be a gifted Pope who would also be a patron of the arts. He continued many of commissions started by Julius II, most notably the decoration of the Vatican state rooms.
picture source: http://www.nndb.com/people/180/000092901/ "Pope Leo X." Pope Leo X. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.

"The Prince"

Jan 1, 1513

Niccolo Machiavelli publishes "The Prince" which is considered one of the most influential books of all time, to this day. The book outlines how to acheive and maintain political power with one of its most famous concepts, "it is better for a ruler to be feared than loved".
picture source: https://sites.dartmouth.edu/library/2014/03/page/2/ "Library Muse – Inspiring Ideas." Library Muse Inspiring Ideas. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.

The Reformation Movement

Jan 1, 1517

When Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses to the door of a church in Germany, this will spark the beginning of the Reformation Movement. The Roman Catholic Church will split because of this. The Theses would attack the church and their practice of selling indulgences, stating that is is currupt to do so. The Protostant
religion quickly formed based off of Martin Luthers ideas about
how the church should be run.
pic. source:http://reasonabletheology.org/95-theses/
"Martin Luther's 95 Theses"

Leonardo da Vinci Dies

Jan 1, 1519

Leonardo da Vinci, one of the most influential people of the Renaissance, dies in 1519. He greatly contributed to the a paintings, sculptings, engineer work, and scientific ideas of the Renaissance.
picture source: http://webneel.com/leonardo-da-vinci-paintings-drawings "40 Most Famous Leonardo Da Vinci Paintings and Drawings." 40 Most Famous Leonardo Da Vinci Paintings and Drawings. Web. 25 Oct. 2015.

Pope Clement VII Takes the Throne

Jan 1, 1523

The Renaissance Era starts its downfall when Pope Clement VII takes the throne. His political skills would be lacking which would greatly contribute to the Renaissance Era's end and the sack of Rome.
piture source: http://www.traditioninaction.org/religious/i009-PopeErrors-1.htm "Can a Pope Err in Doctrinal, Liturgical & Canonical Matters? by Atila S. Guimaraes." Can a Pope Err in Doctrinal, Liturgical & Canonical Matters? by Atila S. Guimaraes. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.

Downfall of Renaissance Italy

May 6, 1527

When Pope Clement VII refused to grant a ransom to the imperial army, it would attack the Rome.They would take the city in less than a day which would mark the end of the Renaissance period in Italy.
picture source: http://schillerinstitute.org/educ/hist/eiw_this_week/v1n24_aug_19_410.html "This Week in History: The Sack of Rome August 19 - 25, 410 A. D." This Week in History: The Sack of Rome August 19 - 25, 410 A. D. Web. 27 Oct. 2015.