Renaissance
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The Renaissance was a progressive cultural movement that spanned throughout the 14th to (and including) the 17th century, of which historians estimate began in Florence, Italy in the Late Middle Ages and later spread to the rest of Europe. Ezio, an Italian Assassin and the ancestor of both Subject 16 and Desmond, lived during this time period.
Description
The term Renaissance (Italian: Rinascimento, from ri - "again" and nascere - "be born") is also used more loosely to refer to the historic era, but since the changes of the Renaissance were not uniform across Europe, this is a general use of the term. As a cultural movement, it encompassed a resurgence of learning based on classical sources, the development of linear perspective in painting, and gradual but widespread educational reform. Traditionally, this intellectual transformation had resulted in the Renaissance being viewed as a bridge between the Middle Ages and the modern era. Although the Renaissance saw revolutions in many intellectual pursuits, such as literature, philosophy, architecture, art, politics, science and religion, it also affected social and political upheaval, it is perhaps best known for its artistic developments and the contributions of such polymaths.
Perception of perfection
During the Renaissance, perfection was strifing to be a polymath, or "Renaissance man". An exemplary polymath was mainly Leonardo da Vinci, though Michelangelo and Machiavelli also inspired the term "Renaissance man". Being a polymath meant to be omnipotent; mankind had to pursue perfection in self-development of all aspects. For example, Leonardo was a painter, sculptor, architect, musician, scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, botanist and writer.
The Plague
The Black Death, or Plague, had caused great devastation in Florence, the presumed location where the Renaissance started. Italy, in comparison to Europe, had been particularly badly hit by the pandemic, most likely causing the people of time to dwell less in the afterlife and spirituality, and think more of their lives on Earth. The Plague also brought a new wave of piety, that sponsored religious works of art.
Florence
It had long been a discussion of why the Renaissance had started in Florence, and not elsewhere in Italy. Some had noted the unique features to the Florentine cultural life, which may have caused such cultural movement. Many think it was the family of de' Medici who played a vital role in this development, by encouraging countrymen to commission works from Florence's leading artists, like Leonardo and Sandro Botticelli.
Some say it was pure luck that the Renaissance had started in Florence, as all "Great Men" were born in Tuscany. The chances of such men being born at the some place in the same time period seem improbable, though it could be that they were only able to rise due to the prevailing cultural conditions at the time.
Assassin influence over the Renaissance
Ezio was born in the beginning stage of growing Renaissance Italy, June 1459, as second son of the Auditore family amidst the Florentine noble class. He grew up to be a banker, until he was seventeen years old, when the Borgia executed the male half of his family; his younger brother, older brother and father. After this incident, Ezio found out his Assassin lineage, having his uncle Mario and the faction leaders of the Courtesans, Thieves and Mercenaries training him. These faction leaders were also Assassins, as Ezio later found out with his initiation into the Assassin Order.
The house of Medici
The Medici family ruled over Florence during the 15th and 16th century, boosting wealth and culture, eventually making Florence the starting point of the Renaissance spread. In 1478, while attending High Mass, the Medici were attacked by the Pazzi, a group of Tuscan nobles affiliated with the Templars. Ezio overpowered the threat, killing all of whom were conspiring against the Medici.
After Lorenzo's death in 1492, his son Piero let Florence fall into the hands of Girolamo Savonarola, who subdued the citizens under the control of a Piece of Eden. In 1497, Ezio returned to Florence, only to find Florence in the hands of Savonarola. One year later, in 1497, Ezio assassinated Savonarola, allowing the Medici to regain control, which cost the family another seventeen years.
Rome
During the 15th century, Rome had fallen under the influence of the Borgia and the Papacy, which were connected to the Templars, leaving the city to the decay of its corruption, as the Assassins weren't very active in Rome until they learned of the Vault located there, in 1499. Later, after the Siege of Monteriggioni, Ezio travelled to Rome and established an Assassins guild, while taking out the Borgia towers that oppressed the citizens of Rome, as he started taking on Apprentice Assassins, slowly freeing the city from Templar control. Thanks to this freedom, Rome was finally opened to the Renaissance influences.