Classical Education In The Renaissance

The Renaissance (French for rebirth or revival) was a time of immense cultural growth across Europe. The revivalist ideas spread gradually from Italy to the north and west across Europe for the next two centuries. It was a time of incredible advancement in technology, societal constructs and the welfare of all people within these regions. It had its root in Florence, Italy around the thirteenth century. Thanks to the Medici family and other wealthy patrons of the city, the classical writings become very popular, and many of their teachings were imitated by the Europeans. The universities were at long last growing into a force of intellectual wonder. Major cities of learning were plentiful during this era and include places such as Paris, …show more content…
They undertook voyages west across the Atlantic Ocean and south and east around Africa to India and beyond. The circumnavigation of the world showed how limited human knowledge had been. The education of the period began to develop along the lines of the Greek ideal; it stressed a classical education combined with physical education. A major early leader was Vittorino da Feltre, who founded a school for the children of nobility that imitated the Athenian model of classical studies taught according to the model set by Quintilian. The subjects included Greek and Latin Literature, swimming, fencing, riding, and dancing. Education was primarily for the men, though women were treated as relative equals in …show more content…
The humanists ' retranslations of the Scriptures indicated numerous areas of disagreement with the Church 's teaching. Many of the humanists were very antagonistic toward the Church, and some, who were convinced that the Church had strayed from the early Christian teachings, began to break away and form new churches. Because they "protested" the actions of the Catholic Church, these humanists were called Protestants. Martin Luther, founder of today 's Lutheran Church, was a major leader in this movement in Germany. The Protestants were often more supportive of physical activities than the Catholic Church. The Protestants believed the activities would help prevent corruption of the body in word and deed and were therefore of moral value.The Protestant belief that everyone had the right to read and interpret the scriptures for himself or herself, which required some degree of literacy, enhanced education for the general public. Most education under the Catholic Church in the past had been the education of its leaders and scholars. The idea that each person should have any say in his or her beliefs and actions was a new concept for the time; the Church had previously told people what to believe and what to do. The Protestants were interested in education for both sexes, but women were not considered equal. Their status had been raised some