5 Primary Sources

• Pausanias (fl.c.160 CE): Description of Greece: Book I: Attica (Athens and Megara) [At this Site]
• Written by Pausanias, a man who was born in Lydia, this is a tourist guidebook that explains the places in Rome.  It was written when Rome was on the high horse, ruling everything.  Pausanias explains each place's history, monuments, daily life, rituals, legends, and folklore.  He also discusses local daily life, ceremonial rituals, legend and folklore. He focused on architecture and the art of each place.
• Solon (c.640-after 561 BCE): Selected Fragments, [At Saskatchewan]
• Solon writes about demos.
• Plutarch (c.46-c.120 CE): Life of Solon (c.640-after 561 BCE) [At MIT]
• Plutarch writes about Solon's life.  Plutarch was the Greek Historian known for writing biographies.
• Herodotus (c.490-c.425 BCE): The Persians Reject Democracy/Darius' State [At this Site]
• Herodotus explains the Persians Rejecting Democracy.  He is the also known as the "grandfather of history" and known for writing about the Persians.  
• Thucydides (c.460/455-c.399 BCE): The Melian Dialogue (Book 5.84-116)[At Charleston]
• Thucydides writes about the dialogue between the Melos and the Athenians during the Pelopponesian War.  The Athenians wanted to take over Melos so that they could be a threat to the Spartans.  Thucydides was known for writing accounts on the Pelopponesian War.

Review

• Egyptian concept of the dead http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maat
• 6 philosophers of Ancient Greece
• Herodotus-studied Persian wars; between Greeks and Persians; grandfather of history
• Thucydides- studied Peloponnesian
• Xenophon- wrote during time of Socrates
• Aristotle- logic and philosophy; wrote history; first guy to write an encyclopedia
• Plutarch- known for biographies
• Pausanias
• Geography will be on exam
• 
  

Medici and Michaelangelo

• Florence 1501- Home of Italian Renaissance
• Michaelangelo was a workaholic
• Didn't take boots off for a long time so his skin came off with the boots
• Michaelangelo was adopted in the Medici family
• Exposed to a world of artistic achievement 
• Civil war broke out in Florence
• 1504- Michaelangelo exposed his work to the outside world
• Created a piece of Republican art http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_(Michelangelo)
• Pope Julius II was from powerful family
• DaVinci studied the human body
• Greatest artist of the time but Michaelangelo was going to take over his title.
• 1512- Soldiers were coming towards Florence
• Niccolo Machiavelli was consulted in by people of Florence 
• After Julius, cardinals elected Giovanni
• Giovanni di Lorenzo de Medici was born in Florence, second son of Lorenzo the magnificent
• Poisoned by gold paint on his skin
• Giovanni Medici rose high than any of his ancestors
• Became Pope Leo X
• Michaelangelo was forced to paint the Papal Chapel in the Vatican and the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel (above)
• Michaelangelo had crafted brilliance, arguably the greatest work of art of the Renaissance
• Machiavelli was exiled from Florence.
• Conspirators were going to kill Pope Leo, but he found out and had them killed instead.
• Pope Leo sold indulgences
• Luther was outraged and wrote a book about how the indulgences should be damned
• Leo was killed by a winter chill
• Pope Clement VII became the pope
• Sack of Rome was an attack by Charles V on Clement.
• Pope Clement stood poised to attack Florence
• Michaelangelo hid in the tombs that he built for the Medici.
• Clement called Catherine de Medici a pearl
• Clement capitalized on Catherine's survival and married her off to a French King
• Clement was about to die so he told Michaelangelo to create a fresco in the Vatican. Symbolized the Last Judgement
• Julio Medici died
• The corrupt of the popes was over

Monarchy vs. Democracy

A monarchy is a form of government system where a certain place is ruled by one king or queen; whereas, a democracy is ran by certain elected officials to govern a location.  During the Elizabethan Age, a monarchy was the ideal form of government in England.  King Henry VIII was the most prominent monarchy leader during this time; he was best-known for the detachment of the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church.  The democratic regime was first introduced to the world by the Athenians.  Although the Athenian democracy failed, the United States, today, is governed through means of democracy.  As for which form of government is more effective?  Although democracy failed in the Athenian aspect, the reign of Henry VIII proved that a democracy is a more successful means of government due to the voice of the people.

            The reign of Henry VIII was potent in the foremost aspect, but eventually it all fell to pieces. Henry decided to break away from the Roman Catholic Church and establish the Church of England when the Pope refused him a divorce from his infertile wife, Katharine of Aragon.  The wishes of King Henry VIII were to have a male heir, to carry on the crown after he passed away; since Katharine could not provide him with that, he wanted to marry another woman.  Although Henry treated Katharine very poorly, she wrote him a letter before she died stating, “The hour of my death now drawing on, the tender love I owe you forceth me, my case being such, to commend myself to you, and to put you in remembrance with a few words of the health and safeguard of your soul which you ought to prefer before all worldly matters, and before the care and pampering of your body, for the which you have cast me into many calamities and yourself into many troubles” (Primary Sources).  When news of Katharine’s death reached King Henry VIII, he celebrated it, because now he could marry another wife and have the boy he had always wanted.  The boys of the family were more likely to become leaders rather than girls because the common belief was that men were stronger than women.  As time passed, Henry received a son, but his monarchy was falling apart.  Henry was wasteful with England’s money; taxes were at all time highs, and the expansion of the navy was causing great economical problems.  In King Henry VIII’s case, the power and money really got to his head and it cost him. 

            The introduction to democracy originated in the Greek city-state of Athens.  Contrary to popular belief that the Athenian democracy was similar to the democracy performed in the United States today, the Athenian version of democracy was more direct rather than representative.  Aristotle thought of democracy this way: “The first type of democracy is particularly based on equality, where neither the rich nor the poor has pre-eminent authority, but both are similar [in their authority]. Still, since the majority rules and the “people” will be in the majority, this is a democracy” (Democracy).  This belief is contrary to the acts of the Athenian democracy.  Only men could vote in the Athenian democracy; this excluded women and slaves from the population; therefore, not everyone had a say in what occurred in Athens.  The public opinions of the citizens were swayed by the works of art and poetry during that time.  Athenians did not know what to think, so they went with what the artists thought.  The democracy of Athens crumbled so quickly because it was so unfair and the people were so ignorant.  In this case, democracy was not effective; however, in the modern United States, it all changes.

The democracy that is enforced in the modern day United States is more organized and orderly than the Athenian democracy.  Thanks to the United States Constitution, the government is well-prepared due to the organization of preset laws that are written.  The Preamble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfdREb9Khu4) affirms the beginning of the Constitution: “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America” (The United States Constitution).  Differing from the Athenian democracy, the United States democracy is representative.  Any citizen of the United States over the age of eighteen is allowed to vote.  This is the main factor as to why the representative democracy is more stable than the direct democracy.  This democracy is and will be more successful than a monarchy.

As a proved matter, a monarchy is less effective than a democracy.  Relating to the Elizabethan Age and the Ancient Athenian democracy, they were both unstable and failed.  The world has gained a better understanding of how a government should be run through the trials and tribulations of previous governments.  Although democracy failed in the Athenian aspect, the reign of Henry VIII proved that a democracy is a more successful means of government due to the voice of the people.

"Democracy in the Politics of Aristotle." The Stoa Consortium. Web. 14 May 2010. <http://www.stoa.org/projects/demos/article_aristotle_democracy?page=all&greekEncoding=/>.

"Lecture 10: The beginnings of democracy." Web. 14 May 2010. <http://languages.siuc.edu/classics/Johnson/HTML/L10.html>.

"Primary Sources - Letter of Katharine of Aragon to Her Husband, King Henry VIII, 7 January 1536." EnglishHistory.net. Web. 14 May 2010. <http://englishhistory.net/tudor/letter5.html>.

"The United States Constitution - The U.S. Constitution Online - USConstitution.net." Index Page - The U.S. Constitution Online - USConstitution.net.       Web. 14 May 2010. <http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html#Preamble>.

Germany-notes

Germany 1483- Time of desolation and disease

• One forth of population died before they were 5.
• The Church was the most powerful institution on earth and it promised heaven.
• Martin Luther- The Reluctant Revolutionary 
• Led Europeans to rebel against Catholic Church
• If you followed the Churches rules and rituals you will find eternal happiness in heaven.
• Martin Luther served as an alter-boy
• Luther;'s father, Hans, broke free from the old feudal system and set up on their own
• Beer and wine were a stable drink
• Was scared of being punished and beaten by his family drove him
• Martin became a musician
• Life was shattered in year 1505 because a plague (Black Death) struck town
• Killed almost a half of Europe's population in the previous 100 years
• 3 of Luther's friends were killed by the disease
• This marked a turn around in Luther's life
• Luther, 23, was returning to Hereford with his family and he was caught in a massive thunderstorm
• Struck Luther, vowed himself to God
• Sent on mission to Rome
• 
  

Shakespeare

3. Is Shakespeare worth studying? Why? (from Twitter)

Shakespeare is worth studying because his works offer great literary knowledge and historic knowledge.  In some of his plays and stories, the story line is completely untrue, but the characters are real.  For example, in a Midsummer Night's Dream, the characters are real and part of the story is, too.  Shakespeare added the details about the fairies for entertainment.  On the contrary, Julius Caesar was true.  The characters, the assassination, the story, everything was real.  Conspirators joined together to kill Caesar for the good of Rome; "And they so eagerly pressed towards the body, and so many daggers were hacking together, that they cut one another; Brutus, particularly, received a wound in his hand, and all of them were besmeared with the blood" (Ancient History Sourcebook). Shakespeare can benefit in two ways, literary and historic; therefore, he is worth studying.  


"Ancient History Sourcebook: Plutarch: The Assassination of Julius Caesar, from Marcus Brutus."FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 13 May 2010. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/ancient/plutarch-caesar.html>.

Scotland

5. Give a brief history of Scotland from the 14th through 16th centuries.

Scotland during the 14th through 16th centuries was a very busy time period.  In 1314, Robert the I of Scotland battled England at the battle of Bannockburn to win Scottish independence.  The Declaration of Arbroath was written in 1320 to seal the deal that Scotland was a free, sovereign country.  "The Pope had not accepted Scottish independence, perhaps partially because Robert the Bruce had been excommunicated for killing John Comyn in a church in Dumfries in 1306" (Scotland).  The Treat of Edinburg-Northhampton was signed in 1342 by leaders of England and Scotland to end the first battle of Scottish Independence.   Robert the II of Scotland was proclaimed the first Stewart king in 1371.  In 1402, England and Scotland battle at Battle of Nesbit Moore and the Battle of Humbleton Hill.  In both battles, England overcomes the Scots.  In 1493, the Lord of the Isles was expunged.  The Lord of the Isles was a group of rulers from the Vikings and the Middle Ages in Scotland.  The Education Act of 1496 was established in Scotland to ensure that whoever was to be a major leader, would have gone through mandatory schooling.  In 1513, the Battle of Flodden Field took place when James IV and the Scottish attacked the English army.  This also ended in an English victory.  In 1568, Mary the Queen of Scots runs away from her loss at the Battle of Langside.  In 1578, James VI takes over the government. Mary the Queen of Scots is beheaded by request from Queen Elizabeth I in 1587.  In 1592, Scotland changes it's religion to Presbyterianism.  


"Scotland: The Declaration of Arbroath." Web. 13 May 2010. <http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/scotland/arbroath.html>.
"Timeline of Scottish History." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 13 May 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_Scottish_history#14th_century_-_15th_century>.

Genius?

Do you think Leonardo deserved the title "Genius"?

Leonardo da Vinci made huge contributions to the Renaissance; however, he did not deserve the title "genius."  Art during the Middle Ages was two-dimensional and flat; it had no depth and didn't really have life-like qualities.  Da Vinci changed this perspective, for he transformed art into three dimensional work.  Da Vinci gave art more depth and realistic qualities.  His contribution to art during the Renaissance greatly affected art that is created today.   Leonardo was a perfectionist, not a genius.  "It is clear that Leonardo, through his comprehension of art, began many things and never finished one of them, since it seemed to him that the hand was not able to attain to the perfection of art in carrying out the things which he imagined; for the reason that he conceived in idea difficulties so subtle and so marvellous, that they could never be expressed by the hands, be they ever so excellent" (Medieval Sourcebook).


"File:Leonardo Self.jpg." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 12 May 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Leonardo_self.jpg>.
"Medieval Sourcebook: Giorgio Vasari: Life of Leonardo Da Vinci 1550." FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 12 May 2010. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/vasari1.html>.

Leonardo Davinci- notes

• Leonardo Davinci moved to Florence when he was 12 years old with his father 
• Italy was a collection of republics and city-states
• Began as an apprentice of the artist Verrocchio
• Kept notebooks about his ideas on science and art
• One idea had to do with perspective
• Leonardo was inspired by Brunelleschi
• Painting was very 2 dimensional in Medieval Times; no depth; flat
• Renaissance paintings were more 3 dimensional; depth
• Leonardo wrote in mirror images to code his notebooks
• 
  

Leonardo da Vinci's writing

Elizabeth I

2. Summarize how Elizabeth rises to the throne -- from her birth to her coronation.

Elizabeth was born by Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII.  When she was three months old, she was given her own household name.  All of the major decisions that had to be made in the household went through Elizabeth.  After Anne Boleyn miscarried a boy, Henry ordered for her to be killed.  After Anne died, Elizabeth became a bastard child.   Henry married twice after the death of Anne, the first time to Jane and the second time to Catherine Parr.  Henry had a boy with Jane, and she died two weeks later.  Elizabeth had always been fascinated by her father's power over people, and as Henry was dying, she became very upset that her idol was about to die.  After Henry's death, the throne went to Edward, Elizabeth's brother.  Catherine later died during child birth, so Mary, Elizabeth's envious sister, became the Queen of England.  Initially, the people of England loved the idea of having Mary as their queen, until she expressed an idea to convert England to Catholicism.  After the outrageous claim of religion, Elizabeth became very popular, and then she was sentenced to 16 months of house arrest.  Mary's husband begged her to reconcile with Elizabeth, for their past was very rocky and belligerent.  After this heart-felt reconciliation, Elizabeth was allowed to return to her household.  Mary fell ill, and she promised Elizabeth that she could rule England after her death as long as she agreed to maintain Roman Catholicism.  Elizabeth agreed, moved to London, and became the Queen of England in 1558 at the age of 25.

"File:Elizabeth I. Procession Portrait (detail).jpg." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 11 May 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Elizabeth_I._Procession_portrait_(detail).jpg>.

Elizabeth I- notes

• Henry's wife cant produce children, so he wants a divorce.
• The Church says no.
• Elizabeth was a legend and she presided over a great nation
• Heart and stomach of a king.
• Made a bastard by her father.
• Came to throne in 1559 when she was 25. Ruled for 44 years.
• Monarch and a woman.
• Childhood was the key to her life.
• Elizabethan Age.
• Daughter of King Henry the 8th and Anne Boleyn.
• Henry and Anne were secretly married when she was 6 months pregnant.
• 3 months old, she was given her own household.
• Mary her sister and forced to work for Elizabeth.
• Tension and jealousy between Elizabeth and Mary.
• All major decisions were referred to the king if it had to do with Elizabeth.
• Her mother chose all of her clothes.
• Detail was important in her clothing because it was an indication of status.
• 1534- Law was passed.
• Anne Boleyn miscarried a boy.
• A plot was hatched to dispose of Anne because she couldn't have kids.
• Anne was tried and found guilty of adultery and treason. Killed.
• Elizabeth became a bastard after this.
• Within 2 weeks for Anne's death, Henry married Jane.
• Jane gave birth to Edward (the long awaited prince)
• Jane died 2 weeks after his birth.
• Henry married Catherine Parr (6th wife)
• Elizabeth was "as grave as a woman of 40."
• Elizabeth was fascinated by her father's wealth and power.
• 1547- Henry was aging rapidly (grossly over weight).
• Henry eventually died.
• Throne went to Edward. (10 years old)
• Elizabeth's future was more uncertain than ever before.
• Elizabeth was now 14 and stayed with Catherine Parr.
• Edward Seymour (Edward's uncle) ruled the country on Edward's behalf.
• Edward appointed Thomas Seymour to an important position.
• Thomas was a ladies man.
• Thomas rekindled love affair with Catherine Parr.
• Thomas would go look into Elizabeth's room while she was naked. (like tabloid scandal of the day)
• Catherine lamed Elizabeth for this behavior.
• Thomas was nearly 40 and Elizabeth was a teenager.
• Catherine died in child birth.
• Elizabeth's way of dressing got her noticed.
• John Dudley succeeded as the young king's protector.
• A plot was hatched that Guildford Dudley would marry Lady Jane Grey.
• Lady Jane Grey and Guildford Dudley were killed.
• Mary became queen of England.
• Local people knew her well; she loved to be out in the open air.
• Loved the arts (dancing, playing music, reading)
• People were thrilled with Mary as their queen.
• But Mary wanted to change England back to Catholicism.
• Wanted to marry Philip II of Spain.
• Elizabeth became popular after Mary expressed her ideas.
• Elizabeth was sent to wood stock for house arrest for 16 months.
• Philip said that Mary should reconcile with Elizabeth.
• Elizabeth was allowed to return to her house.
• Philip returned to Spain losing interest in Mary and her country.
• 1557- bad year for Mary; marriage crumbled; France failed; suffered from illness.
• Mary said Elizabeth could rule England if she agreed to keep Roman Catholicism.
• Mary died.
• 6 days later, Elizabeth moved to London to rule at 25 years old.
• Elizabeth was tall, auburn hair, and not afraid of responsibility
• 1558- Proclaimed queen of England.
• Enjoying herself, always went on walks when weather provided.
• Elizabeth was unpredictable.
• Quick temper was notorious.
• In the mornings, worked on state papers, set time aside for dancing.
• Believed that she had been chosen by God to rule England.
• 
  

Exploration

            The Italian Renaissance was a time of great exploration and a plethora of new discoveries.  Internally, the mind was explored to flourish new inventions at the time.  Externally, new colonies have been found as a result.   Lorenzo Medici contributed greatly to the exploration of art during the Renaissance in Florence; whereas, Christopher Columbus rummaged to establish new colonies in Spain and the New World. If exploration was not internal, no external results would develop.  Internal and external explorations have been proved, by Lorenzo Medici and Christopher Columbus, to be a good thing.

            During the Italian Renaissance in Florence, Italy, a prosperous family had been born.  This family is better known as the Medici Family.  The Medici’s had many generations, and, surprisingly, all of them added a significant amount of exploration to the Italian Renaissance.  The single person who contributed mostly to the exploration of the Renaissance was Lorenzo Medici.  Lorenzo may also be known as Lorenzo the Magnificent, due to his ability to be a diplomat, politician and patron of scholars, artists, and poets; “Lorenzo's mode of life, his ability and good fortune, were recognised with admiration, and highly esteemed, not only by all the princes of Italy, but also by those at a great distance” (Medieval Sourcebook).  After Lorenzo’s father, Piero, son of Cosimo, passed, Lorenzo was thrusted into the spotlight.  He was next in line affiliated with the Medici dynasty to run the Medici banks, but he was not the best political leader.  The Medici family was so honored, the Church benefitted from the banks.  Lorenzo, however, found comfort and solemnity in the arts.

Lorenzo was an esteemed artist during the Renaissance.  He explored for the most impressive talent that was available during the time.  “Lorenzo therefore always favoured men of talent, but particularly nobles who had any inclination to art; so it is no wond'er that some came forth from that school to astound the world” (Michael Angelo).  When Michelangelo, a young 13 year old boy, joined the Medici family, Lorenzo became extremely curious in the type of art that this young man could produce.   Lorenzo found one extraordinary artist, so he kept searching and came across another man named Leonardo da Vinci.  Both Michelangelo and da Vinci impressed Lorenzo; he decided to take these two men, along with other artists, and establish the first art school in history.  Da Vinci was an apprentice of Andrea Del Verrocchio; “There are many drawings by his hand, and among them some heads of women, with the hair arranged in that manner that Lionardo da Vinci always imitated” (Lionardo Da Vinci). Michelangelo and da Vinci became rivals, because both of their art was adored by Lorenzo.  As a result of the exploration for talent by Lorenzo, two astounding artists and many outstanding works of art have derived.

While the Renaissance was taking place in Italy, another great exploration was being made by an Italian man known as Christopher Columbus.  Columbus explored the land that was waiting to be found across the western ocean.  “I should not proceed by land to the East, as is customary, but by a Westerly route, in which direction we have hitherto no certain evidence that any one has gone” (Medieval Sourcebook).  Columbus founded the New World, which is the modern day Americas and Australia.  The common belief of the people in 1492, was that the earth was flat.  They believed that it was possible to step off the face of the earth.  Columbus ‘explored’ and proved the people wrong.  He found that the earth was actually spherical.  Without the exploration of Columbus, the New World would not have been found, and people would still believe that the earth is flat.

Exploration done by the Italians was a very good thing.  Lorenzo Medici found two of the most popular and esteemed artists to this day.  Christopher Columbus found the New World, and uncovered the true shape of the earth.  Without exploration and determination, none of this would have been possible.  Internal and external explorations have been proved, by Lorenzo Medici and Christopher Columbus, to be a good thing.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:OldNewWorld_v2.png

http://www.webexhibits.org/colorart/i/michelangelo-creation-adam-.jpg

            "Lionardo Da Vinci: Giorgio Vasari's Lives of the Artists." FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 7 May 2010. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/vasari/vasari14.htm>.

"Michael Angelo: Giorgio Vasari's Lives of the Artists." FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 7 May 2010.             <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/basis/vasari/vasari26.htm>.

"Medieval Sourcebook: Christopher Columbus: Extracts from Journal." FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 7 May 2010. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/columbus1.html>.

"Medieval Sourcebook: Niccolò Machiavelli: History of Florence: Lorence De'       Medici."FORDHAM.EDU. Web. 7 May 2010.    <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/machiavelli-histflo-lorenzo.html>.

Internal Exploration vs. External Exploration

4. What type of exploration has a greater long-term impact on a society: external exploration of the world or internal exploration of human understanding such as math and sciences? (from Twitter)

Both external and internal exploration have a long-term impact on society; however, if humans were explored more, it would have an impact on the world itself.  Resulting from internal exploration, new things could be established, such as a cure for cancer or other diseases.  If the internal elements of humans were explored a little more, the world could be affected in a huge way.  If cures or solutions of certain things were established, the world would be a lot easier to explore, because there would really be no issues.  A society can benefit from internal exploration more than external exploration.


"Maymester in Italy 2010." College of Health, Education And Human Development : Clemson University. Web. 05 May 2010. <http://www.hehd.clemson.edu/schoolofed/italy/index.php>.

Italy Video- notes

• Medici ruled in Florence throughout the Renaissance
• Florence was a republic, led by wealthy families
• Florence is a smaller city than Rome
• Vatican is the most powerful institution in Southern Europe
• Giovanni di'Medici starts bank, helps Pope get elected
• Cosimo Medici, gets dome of Florence built
• In Florence 1489 Medici born 
• Medici's were the godfathers of the Renaissance
• Men scoured Europe for treasure
• The men were really after knowledge
• Ancient learning was carried back to Florence from Europe
• Florence was the place to be
• Giovanni Medici ran the business
• Giovanni rose from poverty
• Giovanni knew the Church was up for grabs
• Made bets with pirates
• Pope John the 23rd
• Tried to build large dome, and failed
• City looked for fresh ideas from the Cathedral
• Filippo Brunelleschi roamed the streets and he was a genius
• Insulted people so they threw him out
• In 1419- orphanage became a showcase for his ideas
• Sparked architectural revolution across Europe
• Wrote calculations in code and didn't explain details
• Figured out how to build dome
• Cosimo de'Medici
• Brunelleschi faced problems like how he could prevent bricks from falling inward.
• Brun. had to prove that he was right because everyone thought he wasn't
• 1436, Brun. wrote a poem that it was a miracle that his dome was built without scaffolding
• Greatest architectural feat in the western world
• Cosimo invited Pope to the consecration
• 37 thousand tons, 40 million bricks
• Cosimo planned a international spectacle in the dome, The Council of Florence
• East and west were brought together
• Cosimo died in 1464, city of Florence declared him as the father of the father land
• Lorenzo rode before so his father would be safe
• But it wasn't Lorenzo who the assassins were after, they wanted to get rid of the father
• Lorenzo gets married to a mercantile family
• Sandro Botticelli placed himself inside the families circle of friends
• Lorenzo was thrusted into the spotlight after his father died
• Botticelli's painting was celebrating the arrival of Spring
• Venus is the first creature of the pagan universe
• Conspirators knew that they had to kill both.
• Giuliano de' Medici was stabbed 19 times
• Lorenzo was unaccounted for
• Plotters realize that the game is up
• Supporters of Medici were ready to fight the conspirators
• Lorenzo tried to travel alone to negotiate with his enemies in the south
• Gambled with his life for his city
• Lorenzo was worried for go off and settle things with his enemies
• Traveled for nearly a month. Sailed 300 miles, ship docked at Naples. 
• Pope is very unhappy that Lorenzo has bought gifts to settle things
• Lorenzo had saved Florence from destruction
• Hailed by his city as Lorenzo the Magnificent
• Lorenzo worked to protect the future
• Adopted the illegitimate son of his murdered brother
• Florence was under his personal control
• Leonardo da Vinci was a painter
• Leonardo's arrival was raising the stakes
• Botticelli took his paintings to new extremes because of da Vinci
• Birth of Venus was unlike any other painting of its time
• Freedom that Lorenzo brought to Florence was about to be tested
• July 29, 1487- Lorenzo's wife died suddenly from tuberculoses at the age of 34.
• Lorenzo found solace in art
• In 1488, he established the first art school in history.
• Michaelangelo was only 13, and made marble statue
• Brought into the Medici family
• Lorenzo had 7 children
• Medici was leading him in a dangerous direction
• Lorenzo was loosening the grip on the family name
• 1492- Lorenzo fell ill
• Turned to the Church
• Giovanni Medici was already a cardinal at age 16
• Cost Lorenzo a fortune
• Lorenzo died at the age of 43, fearing hell
• Botticelli embraced Christianity with a new found father 
• 
  

Art of the Renaissance and the Middle Ages

2. How is the art of the Renaissance different from the art of the Middle Ages?

During the Middle Ages, art was influenced greatly by the Church.  Two types of art during this time were Romanesque and Gothic.  Romanesque art was bulky and had no windows because that time period was all about death and judgement day.  Romanesque art evolved into Gothic art, which differed greatly from the bulky structure.  Gothic art featured many windows and lots of light because that time period was based on hope and the light of God. Art during the Italian Renaissance started out from being based on linear perspective and then evolving to a trend of realism in the arts. A man named Filippo Brunelleschi changed the linear perspective to an artistic form.  Studying light, shadow, and human anatomy were common during the Renaissance.  Finding the underlying beauty of nature was an artist's main goal.  Like the Middle Ages, Renaissance architecture used many arches and columns, but this new architecture had semi-circular vaults; whereas, the Gothic art used rectangular vaults.  These two time periods demonstrated many different, yet alike characteristics.


"Gothic Architecture." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 4 May 2010.            <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gothic_architecture>.


"Renaissance Art." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 4 May 2010. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Renaissance#Art>.


"Romanesque Architecture." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 4 May 2010.            <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Romanesque_architecture>.

Aliens

1. Read: http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2010/04/aliens_stephen_hawking.html and answer the question posed at the end of the post


Should we be trying to contact other life?

No we should not be trying to contact other life.  Earth has enough problems; for people to try to allure aliens into coming to our land is a bad idea.  For all we know, aliens could come to earth, destroy it, and then leave.  We wouldn't want anything dangerous to happen to our economy, land, people, or building structures.  If aliens were meant to be on earth, they would be here and not on another planet. 


"File:Alien.png." Wikimedia Commons. Web. 03 May 2010. <http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Alien.png>.