The Renaissance through the Scientific Revolution

The Formation of the Heliocentric Theory

300 BCE

The Heliocentric theory was proposed by Aristarchus of Samos in 300 BCE. Through this theory, the earth was considered to be just one of the number of planets revolving around the sun. Copernicus improved the theory, the two scientists Brahe and Kepler generating research to support it. Tycho Brahe kept careful observations, from which Kepler calculated the orbit of the planets. Kepler then concluded that the plants don't follow circular orbits, but rather elliptical orbits in the solar system.

The Inquisition

1100

The Inquisition, a type of special religious court setup during the middle ages, was strengthened by Pope Leo during the Counter-Reformation. The Inquisition used secret testimony, torture, and executions to root out Protestant heresy. The court also prepared a list of immoral/irreligious books Catholics could not use, which included the writings of Calvin and Luther.

Humanism

1300

In the Italian Renaissance, the humanists worked on the scholarly study of Greek and Latin classics, always hoping to prepare for a life of virtuous actions. They searched out manuscript collections, and made such learning available for the laity. In the Northern Renaissance, northern humanists more interested in religious reform and educating the common people, rather than just the royalty.

Perspective

1400

In Renaissance Art, the works were characterized by rational order, symmetry, and proportionality. One person who founded the concept of Perspective was Filipe Bronelleschi. He came up with the technique of linear perspective, otherwise known as the 3d-look of objects. Perspective is shown to have developed through many painters of renaissance art, most noticeably in "The School of Athens," by Michelangelo.

Printing Revolution

1440

The printing revolution began with Johann Gutenberg's improvement on the printing press to have movable type. The printing revolution spread to nearly 200 cities in Europe having printing presses, this leading to a improvement in the literacy rate. This lead to the foundation of colleges and universities, as well as schools. During the protestant reformation, the revolution helped in the spreading of Lutheranism and Calvinism. Books were also more available to the common people.

The Birth of Lorenzo de'Medici

Jan 1, 1449

Lorenzo de'Medici was known as the ruler of the City-State of Florentine, which became the hub of merchant trading for the Mediterranean Sea during the Renaissance. Being very wealthy, Lorenzo sponsored many artists, and sculptors to come to Florentine to create Art. With the city-state cleaned up, Florentine flourished under his rule, as Medici was banker and statesman.

The Birth of Leonardo da Vinci

Apr 15, 1452

Da Vinci is credited to living the ideal of the Renaissance man. He was an advisor to kings, botanists, physiologist, painter and sculptor. He is famous for making the "Mona Lisa," which reflected the development of realism, and the importance of the background in Renaissance Art.

The Birth of Desidarius Erasmus

1466

Erasmus was one of the major religious scholars of the age, and he sought religious reform in the church. Erasmus wrote texts on many topics, including a new edition of the Bible. Erasmus called for a translation of the Bible into the vernacular, due to the corruptness of the church.

The Birth of Johann Gutenberg

Feb 3, 1468

Johann Gutenberg was responsible for improving the printing press to have movable type. Previously printing books was a very laborious process, as the printing was done by hand, so with books more affordable, and the literacy rate improving in northern cities, this had an effect. This event was the precursor to the rise of schools, and the invention of cheap paper. The printing press also spread religious reformation ideas during the Protestant Reformation.

The Birth of Niccolo Machiavelli

May 3, 1469

Famously known for writing "The Prince" in 1513, Niccolo witnessed Italy during the days of the City-States. After acknowledging that a strong man was needed to unite Italy, he turned to the Medici Family, hoping that a strong ruler would come to throne. In "The Prince" he recommends that Princes use fraud and brutality to achieve Italian unity. His presented profound methods for a prince to rule a country, which soon were followed by fellow princes.

The Birth of Albrecht Durer

May 21, 1471

Albrecht Durer was responsible for applying renaissance painting techniques. He created engravings and paintings which were characterized by the northern renaissance art techniques of more realistic colors, which added depth and glow. His mediums of art often portrayed religious upheaval which were quite realistic.

The Birth of Copernicus

Feb 19, 1473

In 1543, Nicolas Copernicus theorized the sun was the center of the universe, also known as his heliocentric theory. Though he recanted his beliefs, he continued to conduct research through the scientific method. Later, scientists Brahe and Kepler conducted research of their own, Brahe keeping careful observations of the movement of planets, and Kepler calculating the orbit of the planets from Brahe's research. Both scientists found new information to support Copernicus's heliocentric theory.

The Birth of Michaelangelo

Apr 6, 1475

Michelangelo was known as a painter and a sculptor during the Renaissance. His accomplishments include the Sculpture of David and the Painting of the Sistine Chapel Fresco. The Fresco took four months to complete, and contained three- hundred forty-three figures, and took up ten thousand square feet. He did the Fresco under the order of the Pope, this before the Counter-Reformation.

The Birth of Thomas More

Feb 7, 1478

Thomas More was known as an English humanist who pushed for social reforms. One of these reforms he pushed for lead to the creation of a perfect society, or a Utopia. In the book "Utopia," he describes a society where all are educated and justice is achieved for all. In modern times, many countries continually work towards perfecting their society to that described in "Utopia."

The Birth of Raphael

Mar 6, 1483

Raphael was solely a painter during the Renaissance, but as a painter, he was responsible for helping the new techniques of Art to develop. He was famous for painting large Victorian frescos for churches. He is also famous for painting "The School of Athens," which dealt with the technique of Linear Perspective.

The Birth of Martin Luther

Nov 10, 1483

Martin Luther, once a monk in a German monastery, visited Rome on a holy pilgrimage. He founded Lutheranism, which simplified the process people used to gain salvation. He sparked a revolt in 1517, and after failing to recant his 95 theses, he was excommunicated by Pope Leo X. His religion was accepted by many monarchies, as it gave them a chance to throw off the rule of the Church and the Holy Roman Emperor. HIs religion brought about the right to practice whatever religion you chose.

The Birth of Thomas Cranmer

Jul 2, 1489

Under the rule of Henry the VIII, Cranmer served as Archbishop of the Church of England. Cranmer made the book of Common Prayer, which became required reading by all Anglican services. When Mary came to power, she burned many protestants at the stake for heresy, one of those protestants being Thomas Cranmer.

The Birth of Henry the VIII

Jun 28, 1491

Henry the VIII caused the English Reformation due to the fact he wanted a divorce from his current wife. He later appoints Thomas Cranmer archbishop of the church of England, and he then later executes him for being catholic. He had Catholic property confiscated and distributed to the Nobles to gain their favor, and later had the Book of Common Prayer drawn up for the protestant religion.

The Birth of John Calvin

Jul 10, 1509

John Calvin, a French-born priest was strongly influenced by Lutheranism. He preached the belief of predestination, and founded a perfect Christian community in Geneva, Switzerland. He believed that salvation was achieved through behaving like a true Christian. Calvinists were later prosecuted Lutherans and Catholics, eventually leading the Calvinists to sail to America.

The Sale of Indulgences

1517

The sale of indulgences began when a Pope had emptied the papal vaults of all money, and more revenue was needed. Along with fees for ordinary services of the church, indulgences lessened the time on spent in purgatory before going to heaven. It is known only the wealthy could afford them, and that many Christians objected to their sale.

The Birth of Elizabeth I

Sep 7, 1533

Elizabeth I was born of Anne Boleyn and Henry the VIII, and she took the throne starting "the Elizabethan Era." She united England once more by avoiding future religious wars. She compromised between Catholics and Protestants by making people free to practice whatever religion they want. She also didn't allow herself to be put at the head of the church, and she changed the language of the services from latin to English.

The Council of Trent

1545

Pope Leo led a movement to reform the Catholic Church called the Counter-Reformation. Pope Leo called the Council of Trent to end corruption and worldliness in the Church. The council also settled issues of doctrine, finally declaring that salvation comes through faith and good works.

The Birth of William Shakespeare

1564

The towering figure of northern renaissance literature was William Shakespeare. He wrote 37 plays, many which are still preformed today. He explored the renaissance ideals such as complexity of the individual, and he used common language understood by all. He also added 1,700 words to the English language.

The Birth of Galileo Galilei

Feb 15, 1564

Galileo was an Italian astronomer, philosopher, and mathematician. He contributed to science by developing new techniques and instruments. In the study of motion, he is responsible for the formulation of inertia, and the law of falling objects. He also developed the scientific method, along with the invention of the telescope. He then paved the way for the acceptance of the heliocentric theory.

The Birth of Rene Descartes

Mar 31, 1596

Rene Descartes was a French mathematician, scientist, and philosopher. He was the first to abandon Aristotelianism, and promote the development of new sciences. He also developed metaphysics, and is now known as the father of modern philosophy. He started the change to break apart the spheres of religion and science.