The term renaissance is from the French word for “rebirth,” and the period from A.D. 1350 to 1600 in Europe was marked by the resurrection of classical Greek and Roman ideals; the flourishing of art, literature, and philosophy; and the beginning of modern science.

Italians in particular believed themselves to be the true heirs to Roman achievement. For this reason, it was natural that the Renaissance began in Italy, where the ruins of ancient civilization provided a constant reminder of their classical past and where subsequent artistic movements (such as Gothic) had never taken firm hold.