HIS357H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Jacob Burckhardt, Classical Antiquity, Ancient Philosophy
Document Summary
European vacation google art project / christmas vacation. Jacob burckhardt, the civilization of the renaissance in italy (1860) One of the defining books on the italian renaissance, it has been in continuous publication since 1860. His interpretation of the renaissance is one of the most accurate, not perfect. The beginning of modernity with the renaissance: modern states, individualism, the rebirth of classical antiquity (the defining aspect of the renaissance) The renaissance lays the foundation for the modern world. Out of the renaissance came the idea of individualism. Getting rid of christianity as the center of life and getting back the classical identity. The renaissance develops in italy: feudalism does not exist, strong merchant guilds run the major city states (make the state serve the people), the purpose of the state is to defend against tyranny (and preserve liberty) Power does not reside in a few wealthy individuals (feudalism) Christian centered world view for the most part (social fabric of europe)
