The Impact of Humanism

Jacob Burckhardt published his classic and thought-provoking study, The Civilization of the Renaissance, in 1860. Discussion and controversy over his claims for the Renaissance have fueled debates ever since. Taking Burckhardt's work as a starting point and subjecting it to the criticism of a new generation of scholars, the contributors to this book explore the continuing relevance of his study to our understanding of the Renaissance today.A particular concern of this volume is the "revival of antiquity" that Burckhardt saw as one of the definitive features of Renaissance culture. This notion is explored through a reassessment of the role of humanism, with detailed case studies in music (Josquin Desprez), moral philosophy (Valla, Castiglione, More), and political thought (Machiavelli). Students and general readers with an interest in the Renaissance will find in the book new perspectives on one of the most absorbing stages in the development of Western civilization.