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1400
Start of the renaissance
The Renaissance is marked by a new wave of thought involving many aspects of life. Mainly, these focused on the performative arts, scientific advancement and knowledge among general society, and a shift away from reliance on religion for self-actualization. The main focused and idealized formations of thought of the time were primarily Greco-Roman in nature. -
Period: 1400 to 1450
The Rise of Rome and the de Medici Family
This custom saw major rebuilding when Pope Nicholas V was appointed in 1447. In 1423, Francesco Foscari became Doge in Venice, where he would commission art for the city. Cosimo de Medici inherited the Medici bank in 1429 and began his rise to great power. -
1439
Johann Gutenberg invents the printing press
Revolutionized the manufacturing of books, and also the studies of the arts and sciences. -
Period: 1451 to 1475
Leonardo da Vinci and the Gutenberg Bible
In 1452, the artist, humanist, scientist, and naturalist Leonardo da Vinci was born. In 1453, the Ottoman Empire conquered Constantinople, compelling many Greek thinkers and their works to move westward. That same year, the Hundred Years War ended, bringing stability to northwestern Europe. Arguably one of the key events in the Renaissance, in 1454, Johannes Gutenberg published the Gutenberg Bible, using a new printing press technology that would revolutionize European literacy. -
1475
Creation of the first dictionary of musical terms
Johannes Tinctoris (1435-1511), a music theorist and composer, wrote "Diffinitorum Musicies" The first catalog of musical terminology. It is because of Tinctoris and a handful of others that we really understand the musicality of pieces as far back as the mid-sixteenth century. Tinctoris talks about the English style of chords taking music into a transitionary period. This chord style is mainly characterized by using the third of a chord as the bass note, otherwise known as the first inversion. -
Period: 1501 to 1550
Politics and the Reformation
By the first half of the 16th century, the Renaissance was impacting and impacted by political events throughout Europe. In 1503, Julius II was appointed pope, bringing in the start of the Roman Golden Age. Henry VIII came to power in England in 1509 and Francis I succeeded to the French Throne in 1515. Charles V took power in Spain in 1516, and in 1530, he became Holy Roman Emperor, the last emperor to be so crowned. In 1520, Süleyman “the Magnificent” took power in the Ottoman Empire. -
Period: 1509 to 1510
The school of Athens
Martin Luther was a German theology professor, monk, composer, priest, and was a very important role in the Protestant Reformation. -
Period: Jul 9, 1558 to
Queen Elizabeth I
Queen Elizabeth I was the first women to rule england in 45 years. This was important because it showed many women that women can be just as good as men if they recieved the same education. This was a big accomplishment for the queen because no one thought that a girl could rule an entire country. This has changed modern day society becuase now women have the same rights as men. -
1564
Birth of Shakespeare
Shakespeare, while not a composer himself, was one of the earliest men to incorporate full scores into his performances. This would go on to employ and demand work from many great Renaissance composers and establish this trend for the foreseeable future. -
End of the Renaissance
the start of the 17th century marks the firm end of the Renaissance.