13th-15th centuries as Great Renaissance

The Renaissance ("rebirth") was the cultural and intellectual revival in Europe from about the 14th to the 16th century (roots in the 13th century), beginning in Italian city-states such as Florence and Venice and spreading across Europe. It revived the learning of ancient Greece and Rome and marked the change from the Middle Ages to the modern age. The 13th to 15th centuries are called the Great Renaissance or intellectual revival of Europe because in this period Europe woke up from the "Dark Ages", when learning was controlled by the Church and feudal lords, and moved towards reason, art, science and discovery.

Why these centuries are called the Great Renaissance

1. Revival of classical knowledge – Greek and Roman works of Plato, Aristotle, Euclid and Ptolemy were translated from Arabic and Greek; scholars fleeing Constantinople (1453) brought manuscripts to Italy.
2. Humanism – Petrarch (14th century) and others stressed human dignity, reason and worldly life instead of only life after death.
3. Questioning of authority – people started to question the Church's control over knowledge, preparing the way for the Reformation (1517).
4. Growth of universities – Bologna, Paris, Oxford, Padua grew as centres of free learning.
5. Printing press (c. 1440) – Gutenberg's movable-type press made books cheap; literacy and new ideas spread fast.
6. Art and architecture – realistic painting with perspective (Giotto, Masaccio, later Leonardo), domes and buildings based on geometry (Brunelleschi).
7. Literature in common languages – Dante's Divine Comedy, Boccaccio, Chaucer wrote in local languages, bringing learning to ordinary people.
8. Early science and observation – Roger Bacon (13th century) stressed experiment; interest in anatomy, astronomy and mathematics grew; Hindu-Arabic numerals spread.
9. Trade and wealth – the Crusades and trade with the East made Italian cities rich; merchants and patrons (Medici) funded scholars and artists.
10. Decline of feudalism – the Black Death (1347–51) caused labour shortage, higher wages and a weaker feudal order, freeing people's minds and mobility.
11. Age of exploration begins – better ships, compass and maps led to voyages in the late 15th century (Columbus 1492).

Because of this all-round revival of thought, art, science and economy, which became the base of the Scientific and Industrial Revolutions, the 13th–15th centuries are called the Great Renaissance or intellectual revival of Europe.