In class we discussed several factors that influenced the explosion of great art works during the period we call the European Renaissance. Among these factors:
The Plague
The Fall of Constantinople
Maritime Improvements
Rise of the Merchant Class
The Printing Press
Collecting Classical relics
Choose one of these and find something out about it online. It may be helpful to visit one of the sites listed under Useful Links in the left hand column of this Wiki. Keep it simple, but keep it really specific to the Renaissance. Share what you find and where you found it (document your source) with the class by posting a response under "Writing Assignments."
I chose "Maritime Improvements." I found the following excerpt at http://www.learner.org/interactives/renaissance/exploration.html
"By measuring the distance of the sun and stars above the horizon, the astrolabe helped determine latitude, an important tool in navigation. Another tool, the magnetic compass, which had been invented in the twelfth century, was improved upon during the Renaissance."
Here is another link to a site specifically about the astrolabe:
http://astrolabes.org/mariner.htm
I chose "Maritime Improvements." I found the following excerpt at http://www.learner.org/interactives/renaissance/exploration.html
"By measuring the distance of the sun and stars above the horizon, the astrolabe helped determine latitude, an important tool in navigation. Another tool, the magnetic compass, which had been invented in the twelfth century, was improved upon during the Renaissance."
Here is another link to a site specifically about the astrolabe:
http://astrolabes.org/mariner.htm
I found this image of an astrolabe on Google images:
