Question 1

In addition to defeating his rival, Richard III, Henry Tudor also commissioned the translation of England's law, previously in Latin and Anglo-Saxon, into English.

Accepted Answer

Henry Tudor, known as Henry VII, did defeat Richard III, but he did not commission the translation of England's law into English. This task was undertaken later, notably during the reign of Henry VIII.

Question 2

Just as the Florentine government was extraordinary for allowing more men to be involved in the governing system, it was also extraordinary for refusing to attack its closest neighbors.

Accepted Answer

The Florentine government was known for its political involvement of a broader segment of the population, but it was also known for its aggressive expansionist policies and frequent conflicts with neighboring states during the Renaissance period.

Question 3

Besides becoming specialists in historical studies and political science, what other discipline did humanists master?

Accepted Answer

Humanists during the Renaissance were known for reviving and studying the philosophies of the ancient world, including those of Greece and Rome, as part of their broader intellectual pursuits.

Question 4

The Ottomans maintained peace through their huge empire by using the millet system; it allowed Christians and Jews to live in their own semiautonomous communities, but with leaders approved by the state.

Accepted Answer

The millet system allowed religious minorities like Christians and Jews to govern themselves in certain aspects, maintaining peace and order within the diverse Ottoman Empire.

Question 5

The Spanish would eventually control most of Italy, directly or indirectly.

Accepted Answer

During the 16th and 17th centuries, Spain exerted significant influence over Italy, controlling territories such as Naples, Sicily, and Milan, either directly or through alliances.

Question 6

Czech scholars learned much from Wycliffe and his followers on the other side of Europe.

Accepted Answer

Czech scholars, particularly those involved in the Hussite movement, were influenced by the teachings of John Wycliffe, an English theologian, as they shared similar reformist ideas against the Catholic Church.

Question 7

Columbus never understood exactly what he had discovered.

Accepted Answer

Columbus believed he had found a new route to Asia and did not realize he had discovered a new continent, the Americas.

Question 8

The humanist Lorenzo Valla used his humanist skills to show that the so-called Donation of Constantine was

Accepted Answer

Lorenzo Valla used his knowledge of Latin and historical context to demonstrate that the language and terms used in the Donation of Constantine were anachronistic for the time it was purportedly written, proving it to be a medieval forgery.

Question 9

To what error or issue in medieval writing were humanists especially sensitive?

Accepted Answer

Humanists were particularly sensitive to anachronisms, as they sought to return to the original texts and contexts of classical antiquity, and errors that showed chronological inconsistencies were seen as a corruption of authentic historical understanding.

Question 10

How did Giotto di Bondone depict his human subjects in paintings?

Accepted Answer

Giotto di Bondone is known for his revolutionary approach to painting, where he depicted human subjects with vividness and emotional expression, moving away from the more symbolic and less realistic representations of earlier medieval art.

Question 11

How was Machiavelli's The Prince radically different from conventional wisdom about how princes should rule?

Accepted Answer

Machiavelli's "The Prince" was radically different because it advised rulers to use any means necessary, including violence and deceit, to maintain power and achieve their goals, which was contrary to the moral and ethical guidelines of the time.

Question 12

Besides superior sculptors and painters, Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were also employed as

Accepted Answer

Both Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo were employed as military engineers, using their skills to design fortifications and war machines.

Question 13

The Lollards translated and published numerous editions of the Bible in English.

Accepted Answer

The Lollards, followers of John Wycliffe in the 14th century, were known for translating the Bible into English, making it more accessible to the common people.

Question 14

Almost all black slaves, men and women, worked in agricultural-related jobs.

Accepted Answer

While a significant number of black slaves worked in agriculture, particularly in the Southern United States, many also worked in other sectors such as domestic service, skilled trades, and industrial jobs.

Question 15

The spice trade focused exclusively on products for humans to eat.

Accepted Answer

The spice trade also included non-edible products such as incense, perfumes, and medicinal items.

Question 16

What technique distinguished Jan van Eyck's artwork?

Accepted Answer

Jan van Eyck is renowned for his pioneering use of oil paint, applying it in thin layers to create detailed and realistic textures and surfaces in his artwork.

Question 17

Although the papacy in Avignon reformed some of its institutions, including more
efficient systems for collecting revenues, not everyone looked on these changes as positive.

Accepted Answer

The Avignon Papacy, which lasted from 1309 to 1377, was criticized for its perceived corruption and the centralization of power, despite reforms aimed at improving efficiency.

Question 18

In 1418 Filippo Brunelleschi convinced the construction committee responsible for finishing the city's Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore that he could

Accepted Answer

Brunelleschi proposed an innovative method to construct the dome without the traditional use of supporting pillars, which was a groundbreaking architectural achievement at the time.

Question 19

Day-to-day governance over the city of Florence was handled by the Signoria, a group of nine officials chosen by lot for just two-month terms.

Accepted Answer

The Signoria was the main executive body of the Republic of Florence, consisting of nine members who were selected by lot and served short terms to prevent corruption and concentration of power.

Question 20

To what professions or guilds did Renaissance artists belong before they were recognized as individual artists with a special genius?

Accepted Answer

Sculptors were typically part of the masons' guild, while painters were often associated with the physicians' and apothecaries' guilds due to the use of pigments and materials.

Quiz 10: Renaissance Europe: a World Transformed, 1400-1500