The Inventions of the Renaissance

Inventions of the Renaissance

During the renaissance period their were many inventions that were produced and designed that are still used in the world today. These inventions have been key pieces of technology that we are frequently using in our world today, some of these include the: clock, flushing toilet, gun powder and artillery, eye glasses and spectacles, printing press, microscope and telescope, the match and even the first submarine. This again only proves the advances that were made in the renaissance that have shaped the modern world. Many artists and inventors had made a great impact on the renaissance and how it helped shaped the world we know today but none were in comparison to Leonardo di Vinci.

 Leonardo is considered the greatest inventor and artist of all time however his inventions were all designed and sketched in his notebook but the either lost interest in them or could not convince a wealthy man to construct them. As a result almost none of Leonardo's designs were ever built. This in turn means that his inventions weren't discovered and built until long after his death, some of them could not be constructed due to the lack of tools and technology available in the 15th and 16th century's but many of those inventions have been constructed in today's world and most of them actually work well. Such inventions include: the first submarine, the ball bearing, the orthnithopter, the machine gun, diving suit, armored tank and even the first robot which was able to walk, sit and even work its jaw although no one really knows what it was capable of doing. This goes to show that Leonardo had one of the greatest minds ever in our world if he is able to think almost 300 years ahead of his time.       

This is Leonardo's ornithopter, a device which allowed human to fly like birds and believe it or not, it works!

                                                                                           

Women in the Renaissance

Women in the Renaissance

Women in the renaissance were seen as an inferior sex during that period and were living in a world ruled by men. Although they lived trough half a century of queens, men had control over everything, women could not be seen as equal and could very often they could barely get a paying job. Women, in that period, were meant to be seen not heard which makes it very hard for a women to have their say. Women also primarily were used as raisers and bearers of kids, they were also mainly used to clean, cook and basically serve that which was higher above them at the time. Women usually worked as nuns and even in craft guilds but as the time progressed craft guilds began to exclude women in their work which only made it harder to get a working job if they needed one in an unfair time and unequal time. 

This is a portrait of a lady painted by 

an artist during the renaissance period. 

This portrait also tells us about how the women of the renaissance were typically and casually dressed in that time. In the painting, the women is pregnant and back in those days was one of the main uses that men had for them. With no real power, the wives were mainly always looking after and raising the children of the family. It was however the easiest way to secure a home to live in instead of having to have the very difficult task of finding a well paying job. 

Renaissance and Art

The Artists of the Renaissance

The Renaissance had given birth to the many of the worlds greatest philosophers, scientists and poets but the most famous and significant advances in the renaissance was through its artists. the Renaissance was a huge historic feat because of the artists that flourished during the era. The Renaissance gave birth to about 75% of the worlds greatest artists. 

These artists include: Michelangelo, Leonardo DiCaprio, Sandro Botticelli, Donatello, Raphael but none can compare to the most renowned and most famous artists of all time, Leonardo DaVinci. He became most famous for his "Mona Lisa" which is regarded as the most famous painting in artistic history.

The Renaissance proved to be a time of great transformation of the artist as they came to occupy a different place in society, for art was becoming more than just a craft. Renaissance society was dominated by guilds, which represented the important trades in the city. All were connected to a patron saint and each looked out for their fellow members, ensuring that all had a job and a decent income. Workshops were also abundant, where a master paid to take on an apprentice to teach practical skills in the field.

It is thanks to these philosophers, scientists and artists of the renaissance that have gained crucial knowledge and cultural advancements that the world has become what it is today shaped by the great minds of the era.  

     

What was the Renaissance?

What was the Renaissance?

The Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned the period from the 14th to 17th century beginning in Italy in the late middle ages then later spreading to the rest of Europe. 

This is a photo that depicts what the Renaissance was like.

The Renaissance marks the period of the middle ages and the rise of the modern world. It represents a cultural rebirth from the 14th to 17th century and bridges the period of art throughout Europe during the mid 15th century. 

Culturally, Europe had made many significant advances thanks to the renaissance including the advent of printing. The Renaissance also helped shaped the modern world today as it was then that Europeans began to value education and vigorous scientific training. it was then when numerous scientists, artists, poets, writers and philosophers began to flourish like: Leonardo Da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Galileo, William Shakespeare among many more. 

Viking Armour and Weaponry

All the knowledge that we have come to know about viking weaponry and Armour is from archaeological finds and pictorial representation. According to Norse culture, every man was to own weapon, weather it be a sword, spear or an axe. Since battle was the most prestigious thing for the vikings these arms were also a way for a viking to show his wealth and power. A well finished and fine sword or shield will prove that the owner is a high ranking wealthier man. There are many used by the vikings but here are the most common.

Sword

The sword is a one handed weapon used to be combined with a shield or even another sword. Swords were very costly to make, and also showed a status of high power to the wielder. Owning a sword is a matter of high prestige. Not everybody could afford swords and those that did often didn't have enough to decorate them. 

This is an image of a preserved viking sword in a museum. It was well fined and decorated, the owner of this sword was an extremely wealthy man. 

Axe

The axe is the most common piece of weaponry used by the vikings, this is the default weapon used by all vikings who couldn't afford things like swords and spears. There are many different types of axes and some have different uses not just for killing. Archaeologists have found different axes and have interpreted as common tools. This is an image of a Dane Axe, a larger axe used with both hands and was one of the most reliable and common axe the vikings used.

Bows and Arrows

Bows were used for both hunting and for battle. They were made from many different trees and were very effective in battle.These bows were well made and a bow drawn at full force (which would take a huge amount of strength) let an arrow fly for over 250 meters. Arrowheads were typically made from iron and produced in various shapes and dimensions, according to place of origin. Most arrowheads were fixed onto the arrow shaft by a shouldered tang that was fitted into the end of a shaft of wood. This is an image of different types of arrow heads from the 9th-10th century. 

   

Viking Religion and Beliefs

Viking Gods and Religions

Viking's have many gods which they worshiped: Odin, Thor, Loki, Frey, Freya, Idun, Sif, and Hel. These gods were sacred to the Scandinavians until Christianity spread throughout their homeland, converting almost half  of the population to Christ. However the gods still remained as their main religion. Depicted in the Norse religion, Odin was the father of all except Loki who was accepted into the brotherhood another way. The God's lived in Azguard (a world between life and death where the north gods live. Their are eight gods in total but there are three main ones.

Odin

Odin is probably the most major god in Norse religion and is the ruler of Asguard. He also is the father of nearly all other gods, the most famous of whom being Thor. In the religion Odin represents war, battle, victory and death. He can also be typically feared among some of the Scandinavians.

  This is a sculpture of Odin on an old Viking building.

ThorThor is a hammer-wielding god associated with thunder and lightning. Thor is one of the most famous, respected and is typically the most popular god of all. Like most God's, Thor is the direct son of Odin and is supposedly Odin's favorite child. It is said that Thor patrols the outer regions of Asguard fighting back giants. It is also said that if this did not happen Asguard would be long overrun.

    This is a sculpture of Thor dug up in northern Denmark with the Norse god pulling the famous hammer out of his beard!

Loki

Loki is not a son of Thor but is accepted into the brotherhood of the gods in Asguard. Loki represents Loki is a shape shifter and can merge into many different shapes. In stories, Loki is known to transform into things from falcons to flies and horses to cows.

This is a drawing depicting what Loki is thought to look like.

Viking Myths

Viking Myths

Vikings were have many myths and most people in the world are very stereotypical towards them. The Vikings were believed to have been a murderous, brutal, relentless and bloodthirsty civilization. However due to the recent discoveries found by archaeologists, this may not be the case.

This is a number of combs and brushes
used by the vikings

These brushes and combs were found by archaeologists digging on the coast of Scandinavia. In finding these items they have proved that vikings wasn't just a horrible barbaric race but they were civilized and had no choice to raid and expand their land with the size of their population.

The picture displayed is a piece of jewelry worn by a viking. This shows that vikings did in fact wear these items as a way to improve on their appearance. This also proves that the vikings weren't just pirates and raiders but civilized people working on improving their appearance just like a normal person would do.

This is a piece of Jewelry worn by the Vikings

it displays a viking longship riding over the sunset into battle.

Did Vikings have horns on their Helmet?

One of the biggest stereotypes about vikings is that they also have huge horns on the outside of their helmets that they use in battle. This is the only known example of a complete viking helmet in existence. The helmet excavated on a farm called Gjermundbu in Ringerike, central Norway. The viking helmet was rounded and had a peaked cap combining four metal plates. The helmet also has an extension down from the front to protect the nose with spaces left for eye holes. What was first noticed when finding this helmet is that the helmet had no horns attached to the outside of the helmet, thus proving the myth that vikings all had horns on their helmets false.