The Great Humanists

The Great Humanists were thinkers during the Renaissance who emphasized the value of individual human experience, reason, and education. They rediscovered and promoted classical art, literature, and ideas from ancient Greece and Rome, inspiring new ways of thinking about life, morality, and the human potential. Notable figures include Erasmus, who focused on education and morality; Petrarch, who revived Latin literature; and Leonardo da Vinci, a master of art and science. Their work helped shift focus from purely religious topics to exploring human achievements, fostering cultural and intellectual growth that influenced modern Western thought.