Renaissance thinkers were deeply captivated by ancient Greece. They saw their own era as a reenactment of the great dramas of Greek history: the rivalry of city-states, the pursuit of beauty, and the cultivation of an educated citizenry. But what drove this comparison, and what does it reveal about the cultural revival reshaping their world?
New city-states: Fractured politics
Renaissance thinkers closely observed their political landscape. They saw a clear connection between the rivalry of their own city-states and those of ancient Greece.
Italy was not a unified nation during the Renaissance but a collection of city-states such as Florence, Venice, Milan, and the Papal States.
Each city-state operated as an independent political entity, often competing with one another for power, influence, and cultural prestige.
Comparatively, ancient Greece comprised independent city-states (poleis) like Athens, Sparta, and Corinth. These city-states were fiercely competitive and often engaged in wars, such as the Peloponnesian Wars between Athens and Sparta.
Moreover, Renaissance scholars like Leonardo Bruni admired Athens for its democratic principles and civic culture, drawing a direct parallel with Florence.
The competition between Italian city-states was seen as analogous to the rivalry between Greek poleis, fostering cultural and intellectual advancements.
Humanism: Competition breeds creativity
This competitive environment extended beyond petty politics. Italian regions competed on who could discover more of the classical age and be grander imitators.
In the Renaissance, the concept of “virtù“ (a term often used to describe the excellence of individuals) was central. Scholars, artists, and patrons alike sought to demonstrate their virtù by recovering, studying, and applying classical knowledge.
This drive was fueled by a desire to emulate and surpass the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Competition among city-states such as Florence, Venice, and Rome also played a significant role. Wealthy patrons, such as the Medici family in Florence, sponsored artists and scholars, encouraging them to produce works that would bring glory to their city.
This patronage system created a competitive atmosphere whereby scholars and artists sought to produce the most impressive works, often rooted in classical themes.
Humanists such as Leonardo Bruni, Petrarch, and Poggio Bracciolini actively searched for lost classical texts, competing to find, translate, and publish these works.
The rediscovery and dissemination of classical manuscripts became a form of intellectual prestige.
For instance, Bruni’s translations of Aristotle and Cicero were seen as benchmarks of scholarly achievement, and he was keenly aware of the recognition this brought.
In the arts, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Raphael often competed to create works that reflected the ideals of classical beauty and humanism.
Their works were about copying the past, interpreting it, and surpassing it. Michelangelo’s David, for example, was an expression of Florentine civic pride, using the classical form to symbolize the city’s virtues and strength.
Thus, while competition was certainly a factor, it was more about demonstrating cultural and intellectual excellence through the revival and reinterpretation of classical antiquity than mere imitation.
Art and architecture: Borrowing beauty in Renaissance Italy
Influenced by this intellectual revival, Renaissance artists found their greatest inspiration in the classical past. This was not just an exercise in creating copycat works. They sought to understand the ideals of beauty that Greek artists had perfected.
Michelangelo’s David directly draws from the classical tradition, emphasizing idealized human form and balanced proportions. This mirrors the statues of ancient Greece, such as those of Polykleitos.
Similarly, Filippo Brunelleschi’s work on the dome of Florence’s Cathedral was inspired by his study of Roman and Greek structures.
Brunelleschi’s revival of classical columns, arches, and domes was not mere imitation. It was an effort to recapture the balance and harmony that Greek art embodied.
Symmetry and proportion in Renaissance architecture reflected the influence of Vitruvius, whose writings had been shaped by Greek architectural principles.
This pursuit of harmony was not limited to art and architecture. It extended to civic life, where the ideals of Greek philosophy were applied to governance.
Philosophy and civic virtue: Ancient ideals, modern applications
Renaissance beauty was not just about being surrounded by beauty. Renaissance thinkers believed the exterior world was the manifestation of something more profound.
They aimed to build a better society. This pursuit of civic humanism linked Renaissance Italy to ancient Greece.
Renaissance scholars believed active participation in public life was essential for the state’s well-being.
They studied and taught foundational Greek texts such as Plato’s Republic and Aristotle’s Politics.
These emphasized virtuous leadership and civic responsibility. The controversial figure in the West, Niccolò Machiavelli, drew on these classical ideals in The Prince and Discourses on Livy.
He admired the Roman adaptation of Greek political thought, particularly the balance between different branches of government. Machiavelli believed studying ancient wisdom could offer practical solutions to contemporary political challenges.
The connection between education and civic virtue was clear. Educators sought to cultivate citizens who could contribute to society.
Education: Cultivating well-rounded citizens
Similarly, Renaissance educators, inspired by ancient Greek ideals, believed a balanced education was the foundation of a virtuous and capable citizenry. They did not just focus on intellectual pursuits. They also emphasized physical and moral education.
The trivium and quadrivium were not just educational tools but essential in cultivating virtuous citizens. Vittorino da Feltre, a renowned educator, founded the school “La Giocosa” in Mantua.
There, he blended classical texts with physical education and moral training. Vittorino’s students engaged in activities like fencing and horseback riding alongside their studies of Cicero and Aristotle.
This comprehensive education prepared them not just for scholarly life but for active participation in civic duties.
It reflected the Greek ideal of a balanced citizen, capable of contributing to both cultural and political life. This ideal was rudimental to Socrates’ cause to shake up his society.
Leon Battista Alberti also emphasized the importance of physical and moral education alongside intellectual development.
Alberti believed that a well-rounded education would produce individuals who were knowledgeable but also morally and physically prepared to lead their communities.
The education system naturally influenced literature, where the revival of Greek myths provided a rich source of moral and philosophical insight.
Literature and mythology: Ancient themes, new stories
Renaissance literature, deeply influenced by Greek mythology, did not just seek to retell old stories. Writers like Dante, Boccaccio, and Petrarch used archetypal themes to tell new stories that addressed contemporary issues.
Dante’s “Divine Comedy” draws heavily on classical themes, blending them with Christian theology. This created a work that reflected human nature and served as a moral guide.
Similarly, Boccaccio’s “Decameron” references Greek myths to explore human behavior and morality. Greek myths were not just tales; they were rich with moral and philosophical insights.
The epics of Homer and the tragedies of Sophocles resonated deeply with Renaissance thinkers. They saw in these stories timeless lessons about fate, heroism, and the human condition.
By weaving these ancient narratives into their own works, Renaissance writers created a bridge between their world and that of ancient Greece.
This blending of old and new was not just a cultural exercise. It was a deliberate effort to transform their society, drawing on the past to create a brighter future.
Why Renaissance thinkers saw Italy as the “New Ancient Greece”
Renaissance thinkers saw Italy as the new ancient Greece. They drew parallels between their time and the Greek rivalry of city-states, the pursuit of beauty, and the cultivation of an educated citizenry.
Yet, their endeavor didn’t end there. Renaissance thinkers wanted to outdo their classical predecessors. In so doing, they could usher in a new golden age that exceeded anything done before. However, this allegiance to improvement itself was part and parcel of the classical world.
