Italian scholars improved there understandings of Greek and Latin, they studied old manuscripts and the copied the classical writing style. This led to an intellectual movement called humanism that focused on secular, or worldly themes rather then on the religious ideas that had concerned medieval thinkers. Humanist accepted classical belief and wanted to make there own society. The most important belief was individualism. Individualism was an emphasis on the dignity and worth

Humanist scholars influenced more than just literature. With independent thinking, humanist scholars began to challenge traditions, assumptions and institutions. They made all different kinds of discoveries that validated their desire to challenge and question everything, even long standing church traditions.

In 1434 Cosimo de' Medici gained control of Florence. He worked to end uprisings by introducing an income tax that placed a heavier burden on wealthy citizens. Medici supported Florence and with his support he became the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. Lorenzo de' Medici Cosimo's grandson ruled Florence from 1469 to 1492. He got the nickname "The Magnificent" he got that name by his support for artists, philosophers, writers, and public festivals. In the 1490's, Florence's economic began to decline with increasing competition from English and Flemish cloth makers. Citizens got

Some common words found in the essay are:
Greek Latin, Girolamo Savonarola, Boccaccio Decameron, , Medici Cosimo's, Latin History, College Cardinals, English Flemish, Francesco Petrarca, II Leo, humanist scholars, greek latin, de' medici, middle ages, medici rule,
Approximate Word count = 603
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)