AP Euro - Chapter 2 - The Renaissance
Vernacular Languages - Answer-The common speech of the masses. They were the
alternative to Latin, the language of the learned.
Jacob Burkhardt - Answer-Nineteenth-century historian who formulated the concept
that the Renaissance was a "rebirth" or "resurgence" of classical humanism.
John Van Eyck - Answer-Flemish painter who applied great attention to the details in
their work particularly in their capturing of human facial expressions. Famous works
include "Madonna & Child & the Canon" and "Arnolfini Wedding"
Johannes Gutenberg - Answer-The European inventor of the printing press, which
allowed books to be printed quickly and economically. He used his invention to print
copies of the Bible. This innovation aided the spread of Renaissance and
Reformation ideas throughout Europe.
Desiderius Erasmus - Answer-Dutch scholar known as "Prince of Northern
Humanists." Lived from 1465-1536. The criticized the lack of spirituality in the Church
in The Praise of Folly, which ridicules the superstition, ignorance, and vice of
Christians on pilgrimages, in fasting, and the Church's interpretation of the Bible.
Thomas More - Answer-English humanist, contemporary of Erasmus, and author of
Utopia, in which he condemned governments as corrupt, and private property. As the
first lay chancellor of England, he was later executed by Henry VIII when he refused
to agree that the King was the supreme head of the English Church.
Leonardo da Vinci - Answer-Renaissance sculptor, scientist, engineer, architect, and
painter. His most famous works include The Last Supper, and Mona Lisa. His artistic
style embodied the spirit of Renaissance investigation and its focus on the realistic
portrayal of human life. He lived from 1452-1519.
Humanists - Answer-Renaiisance scholars of classical Greek and Roman works of
literature and thought who were great advocates of liberal arts education and
importance of the individual.
De(The) Medicis - Answer-Wealthy merchant family of bankers who controlled the
Italian city-state of Florence during the Renaissance era. Their subsidization of the
arts, especially under Lorenzo, supported the flowering of the Renaissance.
Niccolo Machiavelli - Answer-Florentine diplomat and historian who lived from 1469-
1527. Wrote the famous essay, "The Prince", which described his view of realistic
government with a strong leader concerned only with political power and success
and embracing the ideal of seeking to be feared rather than loved by the masses.
Francesco Petrarch - Answer-Known as the father of Renaissance Humanism. He
lived from 1304-1374 as a cleric and committed his life to humanistic pursuits and
Vernacular Languages - Answer-The common speech of the masses. They were the
alternative to Latin, the language of the learned.
Jacob Burkhardt - Answer-Nineteenth-century historian who formulated the concept
that the Renaissance was a "rebirth" or "resurgence" of classical humanism.
John Van Eyck - Answer-Flemish painter who applied great attention to the details in
their work particularly in their capturing of human facial expressions. Famous works
include "Madonna & Child & the Canon" and "Arnolfini Wedding"
Johannes Gutenberg - Answer-The European inventor of the printing press, which
allowed books to be printed quickly and economically. He used his invention to print
copies of the Bible. This innovation aided the spread of Renaissance and
Reformation ideas throughout Europe.
Desiderius Erasmus - Answer-Dutch scholar known as "Prince of Northern
Humanists." Lived from 1465-1536. The criticized the lack of spirituality in the Church
in The Praise of Folly, which ridicules the superstition, ignorance, and vice of
Christians on pilgrimages, in fasting, and the Church's interpretation of the Bible.
Thomas More - Answer-English humanist, contemporary of Erasmus, and author of
Utopia, in which he condemned governments as corrupt, and private property. As the
first lay chancellor of England, he was later executed by Henry VIII when he refused
to agree that the King was the supreme head of the English Church.
Leonardo da Vinci - Answer-Renaissance sculptor, scientist, engineer, architect, and
painter. His most famous works include The Last Supper, and Mona Lisa. His artistic
style embodied the spirit of Renaissance investigation and its focus on the realistic
portrayal of human life. He lived from 1452-1519.
Humanists - Answer-Renaiisance scholars of classical Greek and Roman works of
literature and thought who were great advocates of liberal arts education and
importance of the individual.
De(The) Medicis - Answer-Wealthy merchant family of bankers who controlled the
Italian city-state of Florence during the Renaissance era. Their subsidization of the
arts, especially under Lorenzo, supported the flowering of the Renaissance.
Niccolo Machiavelli - Answer-Florentine diplomat and historian who lived from 1469-
1527. Wrote the famous essay, "The Prince", which described his view of realistic
government with a strong leader concerned only with political power and success
and embracing the ideal of seeking to be feared rather than loved by the masses.
Francesco Petrarch - Answer-Known as the father of Renaissance Humanism. He
lived from 1304-1374 as a cleric and committed his life to humanistic pursuits and
