and philosophical treatises were made available to westerners in Latin translations, but none of the great Greek literary masterpieces and practically none of the major works of Plato were yet known. Only a handful of medieval westerners read the Greek language.
In the renaissance, large numbers of western scholars learned Greek and mastered almost the entire Greek literary heritage that is known today.
2. New uses for classical learning
Renaissance thinkers not only knew many more classical texts than their medieval counterparts, but they used them in new ways.
Medieval writers tended to employ their ancient sources for the purposes of complementing and confirming their own preconceived Christian assumptions but renaissance writers customarily drew on the classics to reconsider their preconceived notions and alter their modes of expression.
There was firm determination to learn from classical antiquity, more pronounced in the realms of architecture and art.
3. A secular renaissance culture
Although renaissance culture was by no means pagan, it certainly was more secular in its orientation than culture of the middle ages. During this period, the Italian city- states focused on the attainment of success in the urban political arena and the living well in this world. Such secular ideals helped create a culture that was increasingly non- ecclesiastical.
Humanism and education
This word has two different meanings, one technical and one general but both apply to the cultural goals and ideals of a large number of renaissance thinkers.
In its