Episode 20: Civitas

Medieval Italy was a distinct region with unique characteristics that set it apart from the rest of Europe. In an environment of urban expansion and commercial prosperity, Italian Renaissance humanism would emerge. The city-state, the civitas, became the central defining identity.   And with this came the concept of civic humanism. This emphasizes the importance of active participation in public life, and individuals had a duty to use their abilities to serve their communities and that this service was essential for the survival and flourishing of the state.   The Florentine scholar and politician Leonardo Bruni is the archetype of the scholar-statesman. Through his work "The History of the Florentine People," he becomes the leading spokesman for civic humanism.

Resources
Map of Italy 1494
The History of the Florentine People (Books I-IV) by Leonardo Bruni
The History of the Florentine People (Books V-VIII) by Leonardo Bruni
The Crisis of the Early Italian Renaissance by Hans Baron
The Foundations of Modern Political Thought Vol 1: The Renaissance by Quentin Skinner

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Intro Music: Hayden Symphony #39
Outro Music: Vivaldi Concerto for Mandolin and Strings in D