Relationship between the Renaissance and the Greco-Roman world - Essay Example

?Relationship between the Renaissance and the Greco-Roman world In history the Greco-Roman world portrays those countries and people whose cultures are broadly and nearly influenced by the language, customs, government and faiths of the ancient Greeks and Romans. The region geographically is termed as the "Mediterranean world". This phase of History is acknowledged as Classical Era, Classical Period or Classical Antiquity. The Ancient Cyprus, Hellenistic Greece, Roman Iberia, Gaul, Roman Britain, Carthage, the Balkans, Troy, Ancient Macedonia, and Roman Dacia are among the areas included in this era of history. The French word renaissance means “rebirth”. According to Paul Johnson renaissance is referred to the revival of classical styles of politics, art, philosophy, literature, science, religion, and other aspects of rational inquisition developed in Europe, particularly in Italy throughout the 14th and the 16th centuries that had been long vanished to Western Europe. This cultural movement emerged in the Late Middle Ages in Florence, particularly with the writings of Francesco Petrarch and Dante Alighieri, in addition to the painting of Giotto di Bondone. It later advanced to the rest of Europe affecting profoundly the intellectual life of the Europeans in the early modern period (Johnson 2002). At that time Europe must have been in a primeval, destitute condition from which it needed to come out for the rebirth to occur. It was completely split up in the sixth and seventh centuries due to the decline of Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire or the east comprised of the residual relics of the eastern Roman Empire and included the regions of northeast Africa, southwest Asia and southeast Europe. On the contrary, the west of the Roman Empire was a combination of several countries including Austria, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, Slovenia and parts of France, the Czech Republic and Italy. At that time Europe can be described as being between the splendour of cultured antiquity and the victorious modern era. During the period of 1450 to 1600 renaissance turned from GOD to man. The people of Europe saw a flowering of culture as the significance of arts and science expanded rapidly. The common feeling among the people of that period was as if they were experiencing a rebirth of antiquity that marked the beginning of a new era. Consequently, this period became recognized as the Renaissance. During this period the struggle for achieving the correct perception and pragmatism was intense by the artists in their paintings. Whereas, the theologians and politicians, for instance, Erasmus, Thomas More, and Machiavelli strove hard in an attempt to enhance the circumstances of the humans. These exertions marked the commencement of modern age. The artistic and philosophic values of ancient times were revived in a number of ways in Europe by the scholars. During the Middle Ages the pontificate initiated various impressive programs to educate and ethically develop the clergy men of that time. Consequently, the educated people in Europe mainly comprised of the monks and priests who became the most honoured and esteemed scholars. The establishment of institutions for the purpose of educating these clergy men by the Catholic Church proved to be very beneficial which were later to be developed as universities. The argument relating to renaissance is that it is the reiterate uncovering of ancient texts, forgotten by the Western civilizations, but safeguarded in the Byzantine Empire which is actually the Eastern Roman Empire. This Eastern Roman Empire had its grounds in Constantinople and kept the Greco-Roman customs alive including the Islamic world, monastic libraries and Greek and Arabic texts translations into Latin. The humanist method in study was adopted by the renaissance scholars, which was a method of learning and not a philosophy. This was on the contrary to the medieval educational mode, which mainly focused on settling disagreements among the authors. It involved the study of ancient texts, followed by appraising them by means of analysis and experimental proof by the scholars, artists, theologians and philosophers in order to find a philosophical perception contained in them that highlighted human reason and provided a verification of the senses in the hunt of truth. The program named, 'Studia Humanitatis' was the basis of the humanist method of study. It had its grounds based on the five humanities, namely, rhetoric, history, moral philosophy, grammar and poetry. The subject matter occupied by humanism was the initiative that the Greco Roman world was the peak of human prospective, particularly intellectual recognition. Since the vast information of antiquity was lost throughout the middle ages it had its effect on the humanity too which vanished along with it. Therefore, the revival of olden times meant that humanity could again reach its peak position. The belief of the humanists was that according to the philosophers and writers the principles and morals of the Greco Roman world provided basis one needed to lead an effectual and honourable life. Moreover, the humanists stated that every individual was capable of understanding the world and had the ability to find the true meaning of everything on the rationale grounds. Renaissance intellectuals investigated the knowledge from ancient texts, characteristically recorded in Latin or ancient Greek language. The monastic libraries of Europe were hunted by the scholars in search for classic antiquity work which had fallen into murkiness. An innovative, meticulous form of traditional scholarship was developed by the humanist with which they amended and attempted to understand the workings of Romans and Greeks which were considered to be very essential to them. Humanists were hired by the privileged republicans of Venice and Florence and the imperative families of Ferrara, Urbino and Milan to educate their children the traditional ethics and to learn how to write propaganda, histories and letters. These texts enlightened their hearts with a desire to enrich and complete their knowledge about the world. This acquired information was entirely different from the religiosity stressed by primitive Christianity. They did not completely discard the teachings of Christianity. In fact, most of the greatest works of Renaissance were dedicated to it, and much of the art work of Renaissance was supported by the Church. On the other hand, there was a slight modification by the scholars in the way of advancing towards the religion and other aspects of cultural life. In the duration of fifteenth century the humanists attempted to convince a number of popes that the pontificate needed their knowledge and skills. For the preparation of the script of propaganda and correspondence, highly experienced scholars were given the responsibility in order to develop the appearance of the popes as influential, open-minded rulers of Church. Consequently, men possessing immense wealth and authority including those of humble means were combined together with the help of humanisms and through their remarkable united hard work; the greatest workings of humanity were initiated. On the contrary to the humanist movement, the nobility of the Roman Empire was not hidden from the people of Europe. By widening the procedures to deliver the point of view, human form was depicted realistically by artists such as Masaccio. The famous political philosopher, Niccolo Machiavelli, wanted to express the political life in a realistic way as well as enhance the government on the rationale grounds. A decisive contribution was made to the Italian Renaissance Humanism by Pico della Mirandola. At the early age of twenty-three he wrote a well-known text, “the Oration on the Dignity of Man”, which consisted of a series of dissertations on philosophies, natural thought, faith and magic protected against any rival on the grounds of foundation. In addition to this, they began increased use of vernacular languages along with the development of printing. This discovery led to augmented number of people accessing the books, particularly, the Bible. At the time of initial renaissance science and arts were interlinked, along with the renowned artists such as Leonardo da Vinci drawing anatomy and nature by observing them. The advancement of highly realistic linear perspective was among the numerous distinguishing characteristics of Renaissance art. The famous artist, Giotto di Bondone is given the credit of being the first person to consider a painting like a window into space. However, it was not solely his effort; the demonstrations were then carried out by the architect, Filippo Brunelleschi, followed by the writings of Leon Battista Alberti. This perspective was properly formalized as an artistic technique. Towards practicality in the arts, the growth of perception was considered as part of a wider trend. At that end, painters established other methods to study light, shadow and human anatomy. There was a renewed desire to describe the natural beauty, and to unravel the adage of theories of art, with the efforts of Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael, demonstrating remarkable artistic works which were to be followed by the other artists. Other prominent artists include Sandro Botticelli, working for the Medici in Florence, Donatello another Florentine and Titian in Venice, among others. Evidently, the renaissance changed the perception of the people about the universe. The methods used by the philosophers to portray natural phenomena were also altered. In various ways the wonderful ideas of renaissance were inactive until the situation came when these thoughts could be discussed and worked on openly. The outcomes of renaissance can yet be experienced today just as the Greco- Roman world was capable of transforming the world centuries back. Work cited Johnson. “The Renaissance: A Short History”. New York: Random House. 2002. 29 June 2011. Read More