Essentials of the Renaissance came from the Middle Ages--change in the mostly religious atmosphere

Advances in governement (out with Kings, in with city-states)--institutionalism of religion--technological, scientific, monetary advances

Spirit of human paganism--interest in humanity--grew--did not replace the institutional church

Freedom of humanity--to better ones self--the individual

Greek and Roman literature--emphasis on the man--the worldly-man--an "intellegent man of the world."

First search for order in nature--looking for the scientific explanantion behind things

Continued later in to the Age of Reason--European global expansion (1600-1750)