(1) Humanism

In the 5th century BCE, Protagoras—a pre-Socratic philosopher—proposed, "man is the measure of all things." What in the (flat) world did he mean by that? That that truth is relative. To Protagoras, truth depends on "man's" own perspective; you decide what's true and not true, whether you're a scientist or a teacher or an auto mechanic. This idea got him into some seriously hot water for a while. But by the time the Renaissance rolled around, peeps were so ready to think of humans as central to the workings of the universe. So they gobbled this humanism business right up.

(2) Religion vs. Magic

Yep, the Renaissance was a turbulent time for religion. Between dealing with the aftermath of the crusades, centuries of in-fighting, a scandalous royal divorce, and the Reformation, it's no small wonder some still held onto their beliefs in a little fairy magic. These two camps would continue to duke it out during the European Renaissance. Especially as all that newfangled technology Galileo and others were developing opened up never-before-seen worlds to us. Those worlds sure seem magical. Or God-made. Or scientific masterpieces. You decide.

(3) Mathematics, Science & Technology

Well before the Wright brothers took flight at Kitty Hawk in 1903, Renaissance men like Leonardo Da Vinci began tinkering with a number of inventions. They made flying devices, weapons, and perpetual motion machines. We're sure some women must have made some stuff too—if they were ever allowed any materials to do so—but. Well. You know. If you thought 1920s America was sexist, just imagine what 16th-century Europe was like.

(4) Exploration

Everyone wanted a piece of the brand new world that was opening up to travel and investigation during the English Renaissance. First one to the next undiscovered plot of land or sea or sky gets to name it… Or stick a flag in it. People sure do like sticking flags in things.

(5) Women

What is a woman anyway? Apparently this was a question some people asked well into the 19th century. We're confused (and disappointed) too. But Renaissance kids were already grappling with issues of property rights and identity and other nascent gender and sex activisms. Les femmes—they always have to go and make things so complicated.

(6) Art

It wouldn't be the Renaissance without a bit of art talk. Okay, a lot of art talk. From architecture to paintings to sculpture and beyond, all of Europe was doing its part to make things pretty during this artistic rebirth. Ain't no color-by-numbers business here. As for the performing arts, it's safe to say our love of movies—from big budget blockbusters to quirky indie flicks—had a healthy start in The Theatre. No, seriously. The first successful permanent theatre built in England was called The Theatre. 

(7) The Rise of the Merchant Class

Move over, land-ownin' gentry. Our ships are sailing in. You know, the ones carrying blue dye, spices, and tulips. Bam.

(8) Queen Elizabeth

One of the most powerful monarchs during the Renaissance, her fleet defeated the Spanish Armada. And she helped quell religious strife long enough for education, trade, and art to flourish. She even got bits of the new world named after her. Now that's power.

(9 and 10) Mythology & the Classic Tradition

During the Renaissance, people didn't seem too concerned where you got your, er, inspiration from. As long as your work was good. Needless to say, poets and playwrights like Shakespeare freely cribbed from recent history. And the Bible, and ancient myths. If it was a juicy story, it was fair game. All's fair in love and war and art, are we right?