What conditions in Italy contributed to the Renaissance?
The Renaissance began in northern Italy. In the late Middle Ages, Italy was made of about 250 city-states. Some of these city-states were republics ruled by rich aristocrats and merchant families. The Medici family was one of the richest and most powerful. Families like the Medici’s used their money to beautify their cities. They had their own courts which included the best artists and scholars. Rulers of different city-states competed for land and power. They hired mercenaries to fight their battles. Politics were cruel, too. Political adviser Niccolo Machiavelli told his prince to ignore questions of good and evil. He argued that rulers should do whatever is necessary to improve their states. People in the city-states wanted to understand the arts. They studied Greek and Roman classics, or humanities. Their studies became known as humanism. Medieval Christians saw themselves as sinners. Humanists did not see people as sinful. They thought people had dignity and worth. They were more
