... at the expense of the smaller, less powerful ones. Italy in the late fourteenth century was a land of five major states and numerous independent city-states. Northern Italy was divided between the republic of Venice and the Duchy of Milan. Francesco Sforza conquered the city ... of Milan and became the new duke after the death of the last Visconti ruler in 1447. Both of these rulers, Visconti and Sforza, worked to ... create a highly centralized territorial state. They were tremendously successful in creating a system of taxation that generated a tremendous amount of revenue for the gov...

• Word Count: 958
• Approx Pages: 4

... , the flea transferred infected blood to its new host. The rodents died. The humans died. The flea lived a long and happy life. This epidemic, known as the Black Death, spread in two ways. The flea continued biting rodents, people and livestock; at the same time, infected people coughed and sneezed, passing the bacteria to their neighbors. The disease transmitted directly ... third of Europe's population. The losses were heaviest in the cities: in Florence, 45% to 75% of the citizens died in the first year, at Avignon 50%, and in Venice 60% died within 18 months. Anywhere people lived in...

• Word Count: 689
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... , and his everlasting love to Laura. Laura died in 1348 falling victim to the black plague. He wrote a series of poems titled "Poems after Laura's death." Petrarch did not approve of Pope Innocent VI and moved to Milan for eight years. After the black death infected Milan, he sought refuge in Venice. In Venice he was given a house, and in return he donated all his books to the ... public. His daughter Francesca moved in with him. His friends such as Boccaccio, who brought him a Latin translation of Homer's poems, frequently visited him. Petrarch's final ... move was from his donated hom...

• Word Count: 675
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

... surrounded by rivers. This fact contributed to the success and wealth of Florence in the areas of trade and commerce up until 1348. Once the Black Death took its toll and wiped out 1/2-1/3 of the population in 1348-1349 the economy fell and one of Europe's greatest cities was now in an unstable and turbulent state. This state of disarray and chaos allowed the ... to power and take control of the city. This new faction of leaders that led the population helped renew interest in Roman literature and life, which is characterized as the time of the Renaissance. There were several other citi...

• Word Count: 934
• Approx Pages: 4
• Has Bibliography
• Grade Level: Undergraduate

... sixteen, Michelangelo had sculpted both the Battle of the Centaurs, and the Madonna of the Stairs. After the death of Lorenzo de" Medici, Michelangelo's generous patron and the father figure in his life, Florence was divided as many political parties fought for command. Michelangelo moved to Rome where he ... Julius the Second commissioned him to paint frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling,. At first, Buonarroti tried to turn down the commission, but in vain. Starting in the fall of 1508, by 1512 Michelangelo had painted over 300 figures on the Sistine Chapel ceiling. Michelangelo's fam...

• Word Count: 1176
• Approx Pages: 5
• Grade Level: Undergraduate