What new ideas were associated with the Renaissance?

TTHE RENAISSANCE WAS CHARACTERIZED by self-conscious conviction among educated Italians that they were living in a new era. Through reflecting on the classics of ancient Latin and Greek literature and philosophy, Renaissance thinkers developed new notions of human nature, new plans for education, and new concepts of political rule. The advent of the printing press with movable type would greatly accelerate the spread of these ideas throughout Europe.

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Printing PressIn this reproduction of Gutenberg’s printing press, metal type sits in a frame (left) ready to be placed in the bottom part of the press, with a leather-covered ink ball for spreading ink on the type ready nearby. Once the type was in place, paper was placed over the frame and a heavy metal plate (right) was lowered onto the paper with a firm pull of the large wooden handle, a technology adapted from winepresses. (Erich Lessing/Art Resource, NY)