Religion
The impact of Christianity on Renaissance Europe
Pope Leo XPope Leo X was the head of the Roman Catholic Church from 1513 until his death in 1521. A member of the brutal de' Medici family, Leo carried over his conniving ways into the Church, selling "indulgences" in order to fund St. Peter's Basilica.. He stirred distrust among Catholics which ultimately led to the Reformation.
POSITION: POPE ACTION: SALE OF INDULGENCES RESULT: DESTROYED TRUST OF CATHOLICS |
martin lutherMartin Luther was quite literally a man on a mission. After surviving a near death experience and promising to become a monk, he became enraged at the Church's sale of indulgences. in unplanned revolt, he wrote the 95 Theses, attacking the Church and Leo X for taking advantage of Catholics' trust.
POSITION: ANGRY MONK ACTION: 95 THESES RESULT: ANGERED CHURCH AND INFORMED CITIZENS of PAPAL WRONGDOING |
Johannes GutenbergAlthough an inventor by trade, Gutenberg's modern printing press played a pivotal role in Renaissance religion. It allowed for the quick and mass production of religious books, including the bible, as well as controversial works including Martin Luther's 95 Theses.
POSITION: INVENTOR ACTION: MODERN PRINTING PRESS RESULT: ALLOWED FOR MASS PRODUCTION OF RELIGIOUS BOOKS AND PAPERS |
UC Berkeley Lecture:
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The Vatican City Today |