Erasmus and Christian Humanists

Historians have developed the phrase “Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched.”  Erasmus, along with other Christian humanists in Northern Europe, prepared the way for the Protestant Reformation.

In France the major figures were Guillaume Bude, Jacques d’Etaples, and Marguerite of Navarre.  Guillaume Bude, a promoter of “New Learning,” pled for a degree of openness in the Catholic Church.  Jacques d’Etaples helped prepare for the Protestant Reformation by translating the Bible into French, and his writing influenced Anne Boleyn, future queen of Henry VIII who would break with the Catholic Church.  Marguerite of Navarre was a famous patron of humanism.  Humanism was the breeding ground for French reform and influenced John Calvin.

A Satirical Analysis of Renaissance Popes by Erasmus

The Renaissance popes were infamous for their debauchery and wickedness.  The notoriety of the popes grew so great that the conciliar movement formed to reorganize the Church.  Erasmus, in his play Julius Exclusis, used satire to expose the follies and vices of the Renaissance popes through his portrayal of Pope Julius II.  Julius II ruled the papacy from 1503 to 1513 at the beginning of the High Renaissance.  He was known to Christendom as “the warrior pope,” infamous for his numerous battles and victories over European kings.  The prominent chapter of Erasmus’s play opened with Julius appearing before Peter at the gates of heaven and demanding entrance.  Erasmus exposed Julius’s follies and vices through Julius’s testimony and Peter’s strong rebuke.

The Interpretations of the Civil War by Historians and Filmmakers since the 1950s: Part Three

The theories proposed by Civil War interpretations from 1900 to 1950 prepared the way for modern viewpoints which emerged in the late twentieth century.  First of all, the Civil Rights Movement provided a monumental shift in how the Civil War was viewed by professionals, amateurs, and the general public.  Secondly, history took on a specialized focus towards social, political, and military ideologies.  Lastly, the increased popularity of films shaped the opinions of the public as new “historical” Civil War movies came out; so the historical fallacy of this modern era was to believe history as presented by Hollywood.

The Interpretations of the Civil War by Historians and Filmmakers since the 1950s: Part Two

The Civil War interpretations from 1900 to 1950 embraced many new passions in history including progressivism, Southern vindication, and revisionism.  The progressive era in the United States gave rise to the idea of “The Second American Revolution,” embraced by Charles Beard and Algie Simons.  These historians wanted to write a new history with a progressive mindset focused on social reform and national progress for a better future.  The economic factors of the Civil War were reanalyzed, and the search for reformist solutions to the Civil War problems was top priority.

The Interpretations of the Civil War by Historians and Filmmakers since the 1950s: Part One

The sounds of cannon fire in Charleston Harbor on April 12, 1861 launched the American Civil War as Fort Sumter fell to the Confederates.  The war would last for four years and cost over $2 billion dollars (Stearns, 610).  Over 620,000 men died.  From the early stages of the war to present day, historians have struggled to understand the causes of the war.  Each era has interpreted the Civil War through its own special lens.

An Analysis of the Theban Legion

After finding the following excerpt in a Christian magazine, I could not help but write a review since I found so many historical errors in the work.

The Thebian Legion — During the reign of Nero, in the first century, repeated persecutions were brought against Christians.  Yet the greater the persecution, the more the early Church grew.  One day Nero ordered all of his armies to assemble near the city of Gaul.  Tens of thousands of soldiers were there.  They stood at attention to give a loyalty oath which included the killing of Christians.  The captain of 6,000 men, known as The Thebian legion, replied to this oath by saying, “We will fight and die for Nero in battle, but we will not kill Christians.  We ourselves are all Christians.”  Nero became infuriated.  He ordered their ranks to be decimated.  Every tenth man was killed by the sword.  The remaining legion still refused.  More men were killed until the entire legion was martyred for their faith.  The tens of thousands who watched saw men who had something worth dying for.  Soon, thousands became converted, and in A.D. 313 the entire Roman Empire adopted the Christian faith.

I have proof that this account is historically inaccurate, besides the potential of the story being a fictitious account.

The Renaissance Revolution of Art

The Renaissance represented a revolution in the art of painting.  The techniques, subject matter, and achievements of specific artists forever changed the way people painted.

The techniques changed the original aspective, flat medieval works through perspective and naturalism.  The study of the human anatomy and physiology increased the naturalism and reality of the painting.  The use of oils replaced tempura.  Canvas and the easel allowed movement so paintings could be done of nature.

Lorenzo de Medici: A True Renaissance Man

The Renaissance Age gave the world a wealth of knowledge, art, inventions, and political innovations.  One new term that emerged from the Renaissance is “the Renaissance man.”  A Renaissance man is any individual who is well-rounded in all subjects, and who through his achievements, character, and virtu exudes true greatness according to Renaissance humanism.  Lorenzo de Medici was a true Renaissance man.

Michelangelo’s David

Michelangelo’s David is one of the most inspirational and magnificent pieces of the Renaissance era.  An examination of this marble statue is essential for every historian and artist.  In order to truly appreciate David, one must analyze the life of Michelangelo, the history of the statue, and the statue itself.

The life of Michelangelo is a fascinating study.  He is considered to have been the greatest artist of his lifetime; his accomplishments excel as a sculptor, painter, architect, poet, and engineer.  Michelangelo is also considered one of the greatest artists that has ever lived.  His plethora of sketches and workbooks make him the best documented artist of the Renaissance.

The Interpretations of Joan of Arc

Since Joan of Arc’s career was cut short by her death at the stake, the young woman has been interpreted in a plethora of ways by religious groups, literary and theatrical figures, and feminine ideologies.

In the religious sphere, Joan was eventually pardoned by the Catholics, and she became a saint in the early 1900s.  On the other side of opinion, some Protestants have viewed Joan as an anti-Catholic reformer who helped break ties with the Catholic Church to let the Reformation begin.  The French nation as a whole has turned Joan into a symbol of individualism, nationalism, freedom, and chastity.