Describe the characteristics of the Renaissance and understand why it began in italy.

The unique characteristics of some northern Italian city states produced an atmosphere of learning and artistic expression. These were some of the many factors that contributed to the beginning of the Renaissance in Italy.

The renaissance (~1350-1600) was marked by a return to classical ideas and culture. Artists, scientists, and scholars began to look back at the attainments of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, study the classical texts, and create their own accomplishments using this knowledge.