The Italian Peninsula and the flourishing of the Renaissance
... Nobles and wealthy families such as Medici family in Florence influenced most of the City-states. There were more than 20 city-states in Italy, each carrying out the functions of governing and even issuing its own currency. Several of the leading families accumulated great fortune from Banking and charging fees for their services. This helped the already striving economy. Other city-states like Venice were oligarchies. Political power was giving to the male descendents of wealthy merchants. Although separate city-states they all governed as monarchs by the 15th century. They crushed urban revolts, levied taxes, and used massive building programs to employ patrons of the arts. The Italian peninsula being in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea was the ideal spot for trade. Riches acquired through trade and successful conquests were used to employ artists, musicians, and scholars as well as to build elaborate palaces, churches, and public buildings. Encompassed in cultural flourishing shipbuilding also made its mark in Italy. Advances in ship construction and strides in ship building not only led them to be the first ones to sail all year long but it allowed them to increase the volume of goods that could be carried. The Italians were smart about trade and bought goods from those around them and sold it to far away countries increasing the value. Without stable political and economy Italy wouldn’t have put all its focus on the arts. By having funding for artists, sculptures, architects, and philosophers it put Italy in the drivers seat for all the rest to follow. Not only did Italy have the funding to do so but also they were interested in it. The Renaissance wasn’t planned to have the affec...