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Dante Alighieri completes "The Divine Comedy," an epic poem that explores the afterlife and has a lasting impact on literature and theology. -
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Petrarch is crowned Poet Laureate in Rome, symbolizing the revival of classical antiquity and humanist thought. -
The Black Death sweeps through Europe, leading to significant social and economic changes, setting the stage for the Renaissance. -
The competition for the Baptistery Doors in Florence, won by Lorenzo Ghiberti, marks the beginning of the Italian Renaissance in art. -
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Cosimo de' Medici rises to power in Florence, becoming a major patron of the arts and fostering the growth of Renaissance culture. -
Johannes Gutenberg invents the movable type printing press, revolutionizing the spread of knowledge. -
The fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks prompts Greek scholars to flee to Italy, bringing classical texts and knowledge that fuel the Renaissance. -
Gutenberg's Bible is printed, demonstrating the potential of the printing press and making literature more accessible. -
Filippo Brunelleschi constructs the dome of Florence Cathedral, a masterpiece of engineering and architecture. -
Leonardo da Vinci begins work on "The Last Supper," showcasing his mastery of perspective and human emotion. -
Botticelli paints "The Birth of Venus," symbolizing the revival of classical mythology in art. -
Christopher Columbus' first voyage to the Americas marks the beginning of the Age of Exploration, expanding the geographical horizons of Europe. -
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Michelangelo sculpts "David," a symbol of Renaissance art's emphasis on humanism and classical beauty. -
Leonardo da Vinci paints the Mona Lisa, demonstrating advances in realism and technique. -
Erasmus publishes "In Praise of Folly," a satirical critique of the church and contemporary society, reflecting humanist ideas. -
Martin Luther posts his 95 Theses, sparking the Protestant Reformation and challenging the authority of the Catholic Church. -
Ferdinand Magellan's expedition circumnavigates the globe, furthering European knowledge of the world. -
Baldassare Castiglione publishes "The Book of the Courtier," outlining the ideals of Renaissance man and woman. -
Niccolò Machiavelli's "The Prince" is published posthumously, offering a pragmatic approach to political power and leadership. -
Nicolaus Copernicus publishes "On the Revolutions of the Heavenly Spheres," proposing a heliocentric model of the universe and challenging traditional views of astronomy. -
William Shakespeare is born, later becoming one of the most influential playwrights and poets of the English Renaissance. -
Andreas Vesalius publishes "De Humani Corporis Fabrica," a groundbreaking work on human anatomy. -
Michel de Montaigne publishes his "Essays," pioneering the modern essay form and exploring human nature and self-reflection. -
William Shakespeare writes "Hamlet," one of his most famous tragedies, reflecting the complexities of human nature and the Renaissance's fascination with classical themes. -
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Galileo Galilei builds his first telescope and makes significant astronomical discoveries, supporting the Copernican model. -
Galileo publishes "Sidereus Nuncius" (Starry Messenger), detailing his observations of the moons of Jupiter and other celestial phenomena. -
Francis Bacon publishes "Novum Organum," advocating for the empirical method and laying the groundwork for modern scientific inquiry. -
René Descartes publishes "Discourse on the Method," emphasizing rationalism and the importance of doubt in the search for knowledge.