The Renaissance which began in Italy in 1300s, was one of the largest periods of growth and development in Western Europe. The increase in trade caused an abundance in wealth that resulted in the focusing of the arts. Such things as literature, paintings, sculptures and many more works are known to have blossomed from the period known as the Renaissance. The Renaissance was started by many rich Italian cities, such as Florence, Ferrara, Milan, and Venice. Because these cities were very wealthy, many merchants started to spend money on different things, such as painting, learning, new banking techniques, and new systems of government. These things gave rise to a new type of scholar, the humanist, and a new philosophy, humanism.

To understand the term humanism, one must first know what some assume humanism to be. Many definitions are widely proclaimed by different groups and organizations.

The American Humanist Association defines humanism as a rational philosophy informed by science, inspired by art, and motivated by compassion. Affirming the dignity of each human being, it supports the maximization of individual liberty and opportunity consonant with social and planetary responsibility.

It advocates the extension of participatory democracy and the expansion of the open society, standing for human rights and social justice. Free of supernaturalism, it recognizes human beings as a part of nature and holds that values be they religious, ethical, social, or political--have their source in human experience and culture.

The Latin language was one of the many antiquities that was acquired by the scholarly humanists. The works of the great thinkers of Greek and Roman decent were now upheld in high regard. The humanists of the day did, and still do, believe them to contain both the "lessons one needed to lead a moral and effective life and the best models for a powerful Latin style".

Whether it had been for reasons of aesthetics or the "antiquarian," Humanism's followers began to collect antiques. "Ancient statues, gems and coins were bound to mould their tastes as well as those of their patrons."

Through the years known as the Renaissance, the amount of growth, economically, intellectually, and artistically, led to one of, if not the most, enlightening periods in all of history. Humanism is just one of the many social factions that were forged within this marvelous era in time that so many of the modern scholars are intrigued by. The American Humanist Association website author makes these comments, "Humanism is a joyous alternative to religions that believe in a supernatural god and life in a hereafter," and that this life is the "only life for which we have certain knowledge" and with that knowledge we owe ourselves and others the due credit and overall responsibility for making the life for "ourselves and all with whom we share this fragile planet"

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