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Italian: Università Degli Studi Di Firenze. University of Florence, university that originated in Florence in 1321 and became later in the century, through the activities of the writer Giovanni Boccaccio, an early centre of Renaissance Humanism. Boccaccio secured a post there for Leonzio Pilato, whose rough Latin translations of the Iliad and ...
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
1996 – The University Of North Alabama – The University of North Alabama Lions become the fi rst Division II football team to visit the White House. 1997 – Shoals Christian School – Shoals Christian School is a K3-12 college preparatory, nondenominational, Christian school located in Florence.
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A young university with ancient roots. The University of Florence has its origins in the Studium Generale that the Florentine republic decided to establish in 1321. The disciplines taught at the time were civil and canon law, literature and medicine. Many famous names were called upon as lecturers: Giovanni Boccaccio was commissioned to give ...
THE UNIVERSITY HISTORY. The University of Florence can trace its origins to the Studium Generale, which was established by the Florentine Republic in 1321. Initially, Civil and Canon Law, Literature, and Medicine were among the subjects taught at the Studium, and various famous scholars were invited to teach there: Giovanni Bocaccio was asked ...
- Overview
- The Florentine Republic
- Why did the Renaissance begin in Florence?
The Renaissance really gets going in the early years of 15th century in Florence. In this period, which we call the Early Renaissance, Florence is not a city in the unified country of Italy, as it is now. Instead, Italy was divided into many city-states (Florence, Milan, Venice etc.), each with their own government (some were ruled by despots, and others were republics).
Italy in 1494
We normally think of a Republic as a government where everyone votes for representatives who will represent their interests to the government (think of the United States pledge of allegiance: "and to the republic for which it stands..."). However, Florence was a Republic in the sense that there was a constitution which limited the power of the nobi...
There are several answers to that question: Extraordinary wealth accumulated in Florence during this period among a growing middle and upper class of merchants and bankers. With the accumulation of wealth often comes a desire to use it to enjoy the pleasures of life—and not an exclusive focus on the hereafter.
Florence saw itself as the ideal city state, a place where the freedom of the individual was guaranteed, and where many citizens had the right to participate in the government (this must have been very different than living in the Duchy of Milan, for example, which was ruled by a succession of Dukes with absolute power). In 1400 Florence was engaged in a struggle with the Duke of Milan. The Florentine people feared the loss of liberty and respect for individuals that was the pride of their Republic.
Luckily for Florence, the Duke of Milan caught the plague and died in 1402. Then, between 1408 and 1414 Florence was threatened once again, this time by the King of Naples, who also died before he could successfully conquer Florence. And in 1423 the Florentine people prepared for war against the son of the Duke of Milan who had threatened them earlier. Again, luckily for Florence, the Duke was defeated in 1425. The Florentine citizens interpreted these military "victories" as signs of God's favor and protection. They imagined themselves as the "New Rome" -- in other words, as the heirs to the Ancient Roman Republic, prepared to sacrifice for the cause of freedom and liberty.
The Florentine people were very proud of their form of government in the early 15th century. A republic is, after all, a place that respects the opinions of individuals, individualism was a critical part of the Humanism that thrived in Florence in the 15th century.
Essay by Dr. Beth Harris and Dr. Steven Zucker
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Jun 11, 2018 · Still in the fourteenth century, Leonardo Bruni (1370–1444) studied law at the University of Florence until he abandoned university studies to dedicate himself to the translation of classical Greek works. Again in Bologna, Leon Battista Alberti (1404–1472) received a degree in canon law prior to 1428.
The University of Florence trace its origins to the Studium Generale, which was established by the Florentine Republic in 1321. Initially students were taught civil and canon law, literature and medicine. The importance of the Studium was fully recognised with a Bull by Pope Clemente VI in 1349. In 1924, with a special Act of Parliament the Istituto was officially made a university and was ...
