why by the end of the fourteenth century did florence become an important banking city?course hero

by Prof. Vance Volkman 4 min read

Why had Florence become an important banking city by the fourteenth century?

textile production. By the end of the fourteenth century, why had Florence become an important banking city? The pope conferred Siena's papal banking privileges on Florence.

What happened to Florence in the 14th century?

It was perhaps fortunate for the continuance of the commune that Robert was too preoccupied with his own kingdom to establish any full and permanent control and that Charles died prematurely. Yet, despite such political difficulties, Florence probably reached the apogee of its prosperity during the first three decades of the 14th century.

What is the history of the city of Florence?

Florence ushered in the 15th-century with what we'd now refer to as a "juried" competition in sculpture. There was—and is—an enormous cathedral in Florence known as the Duomo, whose construction began in 1296 and continued for nearly six centuries.

Why was the Renaissance in Florence so important?

It was truly one of those "win-win-win" situations, a great new development in art, and another feather in Florence's metaphoric cap. There were five competitions that thrust Florence to the forefront of the "cultured" world, which subsequently launched the Renaissance to the point of no return.

What happened to Florence in the 14th century?

During the 14th century, however, the Black Death wiped out half of the population and two banks succumbed to bankruptcy, which led to civil unrest and the occasional famine coupled with episodic new outbreaks of the plague.

What was the cultural epicenter of the Renaissance?

Florence, or Firenze as it's known to those who live there, was the cultural epicenter for Early Italian Renaissance art, launching the careers of many prominent artists in 15th-century Italy. In a previous article on the Proto-Renaissance, several Republics and Duchies in northern Italy were also mentioned as artist-friendly.

What did the Medici spend money on?

During the 15th-century, the Medici spent astronomical sums of money on architects and artists, who built and decorated Florence to the total delight of all who lived there .

What was the Duomo in Florence?

Florence ushered in the 15th-century with what we'd now refer to as a "juried" competition in sculpture. There was—and is—an enormous cathedral in Florence known as the Duomo, whose construction began in 1296 and continued for nearly six centuries. Adjacent to the cathedral was/is a separate structure called the Baptistery, whose purpose, obviously, was for baptisms. In the 14th-century, the Proto-Renaissance artist Andrea Pisano executed a pair of immense bronze doors for the east side of the Baptistery. These were modern wonders at the time, and became quite famous.

What is the center of the Italian Renaissance?

Florence: The Center of Early Italian Renaissance Art. Brunelleschi's Dome, the Duomo. Florence, or Firenze as it's known to those who live there, was the cultural epicenter for Early Italian Renaissance art, launching the careers of many prominent artists in 15th-century Italy. In a previous article on the Proto-Renaissance, ...

What was the competition in the 15th century?

Competition #1: Dueling Popes. In most of the 15th-century (and 14th-century, and all the way back to the 4th-century) Europe, the Roman Catholic Church had the final say on everything. That's why it was of major importance that the end of the 14th-century saw rival Popes.

Why did cities and towns need new or improved churches?

Cities and towns always needed new or improved churches, and churches were always on the lookout for better works of art with which to adorn themselves. Important persons were forever passing on, and they required the appropriate final resting places (elaborate tombs).