Key Figures: Renaissance, Reformation, Global Empires

Posted on Feb 19, 2025 in History

Key Figures of the Renaissance and Reformation

De Medici: The wealthiest European family of their time; Cosimo de Medici was a dictator over Florence’s government.
Lorenzo the Magnificent: Cosimo’s grandson; ruled as a dictator but maintained the appearance of an elected government.
Castiglione: Author of *The Courtier*, a book advising young men on proper behavior.
D’Este: Born into the ruling family of Ferrara; skilled in politics and a renowned art collector.
Donatello: Sculptor known for his realistic portrayals of people.
Sanzio (Raphael): Painter known for realism; filled Pope Julius II’s library with paintings.
Anguissola: The first woman artist to achieve international recognition.
Gentileschi: Trained by her father; painted strong, heroic women.
Petrarch: Father of Renaissance humanism; a great poet who wrote in both Latin and Italian.
Boccaccio: Known for the *Decameron*, a collection of stories.
Colonna: Born to a noble family; wrote sonnets to Michelangelo.

Gutenberg: Inventor of the printing press.
Dürer: Brought Renaissance art to Germany through woodcuts and engravings.
Holbein: Influenced by Dürer; created photographic-like paintings of the Royal family.
Jan van Eyck: Developed oil-based paints and painted realistic images.
Bruegel: Portrayed large groups of people in his artwork.
Erasmus: Wrote *The Praise of Folly*, which satirized various aspects of society.
More: Wrote *Utopia*, about a perfect place.
De Pizan: The first woman to earn a living as a writer; questioned the different treatment of boys and girls.

Pope Leo X: Excommunicated Martin Luther.
Charles V: German king who wanted his subjects to be Catholic.
Henry VIII: King of England; went to great lengths to obtain a son because divorce was not allowed.
Elizabeth I: Henry’s daughter; restored the Protestant Church.
Knox: Implemented Calvinism with elders or presbyters; founder of the Presbyterians.
Loyola: Believed in cleansing the soul through daily devotions to Jesus; his followers were called Jesuits.
Pope Paul III/IV: Led the reform of the Catholic Church; Paul III made decisions, and Paul IV carried out decrees.

Lame: Rebellious warrior and conqueror; burned Baghdad.
Mehmed II: Murad’s son; conquered Constantinople and rebuilt it; known as “The Conqueror”.
Lawgiver (Suleiman): The best military leader; established the most powerful monarchy; limited taxes; implemented the devshirme system.

Ismail: Ruled as a religious tyrant at 12 years old.
Abbas: Reformed military and civilian life; built Esfahan; killed his most capable sons.

Babur: Became ruler at 11; his elders initially took his land, but he was a brilliant general and regained it.
Akbar: Promoted cultural blending; an amazing military conqueror; a patron of the arts; known for the best architecture.
Aurangzeb: Jahan’s son; levied many taxes to fund wars, draining the empire of its resources.

Dias: Portuguese explorer; wanted to Christianize new lands.
Henry: Portuguese prince; founded a navigation school.
Da Gama: Portuguese explorer; discovered a sea route to India.
Pizarro: Conquistador; conquered the Incan Empire.
Atahualpa: Incan Ruler; kidnapped and strangled.
Petralta: Governor of New Mexico; established Santa Fe as a tributary on the Rio Grande.
Popé: Pueblo ruler; led a rebellion against the Spanish.
Cortés: Colonized Caribbean islands; his followers were known as conquistadors.

Hongwu: Ming Emperor; used traditions and institutions to bring stability to China.
Yonglo: Hongwu’s son; launched seven voyages of exploration.
Zheng He: Led the seven voyages; distributed gifts to demonstrate Chinese superiority.
Ricci: Italian Jesuit; gained favor in the Ming court.
Kangxi: Qing Emperor; reduced taxes; a scholar and patron of the arts.
Macartney: Refused to kowtow; was refused trade with China; a British king.
Zahn: Wrote *Dream of the Red Chamber*, examining upper-class Manchu society.

Nobunaga: Daimyo; seized Kyoto; followed the principle of “rule by force”; committed suicide (seppuku).
Hideyoshi: Nobunaga’s general; eliminated hostile daimyo; invaded Korea.
Xavier: Jesuit; led a mission to Japan; baptized hundreds of converts.