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[[File:Blackdeath,_tourmai.jpg|thumbnail|left|Contemporary Image of Black Death]]The Black Death (1347-1350) was a pandemic that devastated the populations of Europe and Asia. The plague was an unprecedented human tragedy in Italy. It not only shook Italian society, but transformed it. The Black Death marked an end of an era in Italy, its impact was profound , and it resulted in wide-ranging social, economic, cultural and religious changes.<ref> Burckhardt, Jacob (1878), ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/014044534X/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=014044534X&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=c69db648577e5fea459a41232bb349e6 The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy]'', trans. S.G.C Middlemore, p. 14.</ref> These changes, directly and indirectly, led to the emergence of the Renaissance, one of the greatest epochs for art, architecture, and literature in human history.

====The Impact of the Plague of Italy====To Black Death spread to Italy from modern-day Russia. It was spread by Genoese merchants spread the plague while fleeing a Mongol attack on their trading post in Crimea. The plague was carried and spread by the fleas that lived on the Black Rat and brought to Italy on the Genoese ships.<ref>Pullan, Brian S. ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00CMHGO4K/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00CMHGO4K&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=15e48ba82dfc5f5eeee14a1e5eca5898 History of early Renaissance Italy: From the mid-thirteenth to the mid-fifteenth century]'' (London: Allen Lane, 1973), p. 76 </ref> The population of Italy was ill prepared for the spread of the disease. There had been a series of famine and food shortages in the region , and the population was weak and vulnerable to disease , and furthermore, the population did not have any natural resistance to the disease. Italy was the most urbanised urbanized society in Europe, Milan, Rome, Florence , and other Italian centres centers among the largest on the continent.<ref> Pullan, 1973, p. 89</ref> The majority of the urban population in cities such as Naples were impoverished and lived in squalid and dirty conditions. These factors ensured that the diseases spread quickly and that there was a high level of mortality, among the poor, although even the rich could not escape the plague.<ref> Andrew B. Appleby's "Epidemics and Famine in the Little Ice Age." ''Journal of Interdisciplinary History''. Vol. 10 No. 4., p. 56</ref> From the cities,the plague spread like wildfire to the small towns and villages of the peninsula.

The majority of the urban population in cities such as Naples were impoverished and lived in squalid and dirty conditions. These factors ensured that the diseases spread quickly and that there was a high level of mortality, among the poor, although even the rich could not escape the plague.<ref>Andrew B. Appleby's "Epidemics and Famine in the Little Ice Age." ''Journal of Interdisciplinary History''. Vol. 10 No. 4., p. 56</ref> From the cities, the plague spread like wildfire to the small towns and villages of the peninsula. [[File:Danse_macabre_by_Michael_Wolgemut.png|thumbnail|left| Dance of Death image from 15th-century woodcut]]There is no firm data on the impact of the plague on the population of Italy. However, some examples show the full extent of the disease on in Italy. It has been estimated that The plague halved the population of Florence was halved, it . The population crashed and fell from approximately 100,000 to 50,000. This The experience of Florence was not unusual and replicated across all the major cities of Italy which also experienced a similar drastic declinedeclines. The death rate in rural Italy may was not have been nearly as greathigh, but nevertheless, there was a significant loss of life. In general, the total population of Italy may have dropped by as much as a third.<ref>Pullan, 1973, p. 156.</ref> [[File:Danse_macabre_by_Michael_Wolgemut.png|thumbnail| Dance of Death image from 15th century woodcut]]The Black Death was also an economic crisis as trade ceased because of fear of the spread of plague. As trade stagnated, businesses failed and unemployment rose. The plague caused a complete social breakdown in many areas and crime and violence became more common. Boccaccio in the Decameron, describes people abandoning their occupations, ignoring the sick and living lives of wild excess, as everyone expected to die. ‘Thus, doing exactly as they prescribed, they spent day and night moving from one tavern to the next, drinking without mode or measure, or doing the same thing in other people's homes, engaging only in those activities that gave them pleasure….. And they combined this bestial behavior with as complete an avoidance of the sick as they could manage.'<ref> Boccaccio, Giovanni. ''The Decameron.'' (Penguin Classics, Hammondsworth, 1987) trans Mark Musa, p. 6</ref>

==Socio-Economic Consequences==The social consequences Black Death was also an economic crisis as trade ceased because of fear of the spread of plague on society came to be profound. The high mortality rate resulted in a drastic decline in the labour force.<ref> HayAs trade stagnated, Denys. ''The Italian Renaissance in Its Historical Background''. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Pressbusinesses failed,1997) p. 19</ref>. Wages and unemployment rose for both agricultural and urban workers. The survivors of the Black Death generally had a higher standard of living than before the plague <ref> Hays, 1997, p. 78 </ref> This was caused a phenomenon that occurred complete social breakdown in both urban and rural many areas. The crisis caused by the Black Death led to many changes Boccaccio in the economyDecameron, describes people abandoning their occupations, in response to ignoring the fall in the population. Because sick and living lives of the labour shortages there was a move from labour intensive farming such wild excess, as cereal everyone expected to livestock and increasingly both in industry and agriculture more labour saving devices employeddie.<refblockquote> Pullan"Thus, 1997doing exactly as they prescribed, p 145 </ref> The impact of the Black Death was contrary on feudalism in Italy. Feudalism was a system whereby peasants they spent day and farm labourers bound, as serfs, night moving from one tavern to serve a local lord. In the north of Italy, good farmland was plentiful and wages increased and the last vestiges of feudalism disappeared as serfs increasingly could purchase their freedom. In the south of Italy the opposite occurrednext, heredrinking without mode or measure, since or doing the Norman kingssame thing in other people's homes, the aristocracy had been consolidating feudalismengaging only in those activities that gave them pleasure…. After the Black Death, the elite responded to the labour shortages by strengthening the restrictions on the peasants and thereby strengthened feudalism in southern Italy. The consequences And they combined this bestial behavior with as complete an avoidance of the plague resulted in a growing divide between the North and South of Italy that persists to this daysick as they could manage."<ref>BenedictowBoccaccio, Ole Jørgen Giovanni. ''Black Death 1346–1353[https: The Complete History'' (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press,2004) p. 234</ref> In general, after a period of recovery, much of Italy became very wealthy as a more sophisticated economy emerged, especially in the North of Italy/www. This was crucial, as the increased wealth of Italy allowed the elite, such as the De Medici’s in Florence to become the patrons of great artists such as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinciamazon.<com/gp/product/0140449302/ref> Frederick Hartt, and David G=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0140449302&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=199bd9b0ec199319d106dc174065bb99 The Decameron]. Wilkins, ''History of Italian Art: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture'' (Oxford University PressPenguin Classics, OxfordHammondsworth, 20031987)trans Mark Musa, p 67. 6</ref></blockquote>

==Religious ==Socio-Economic Consequences====Initially in Italy The social consequences of the plague led on society came to be profound. The high mortality rate resulted in a revival drastic decline in religion among manythe labor force.<ref> Hay, Denys. ''[https://www.amazon. com/gp/product/0521291046/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521291046&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=20ec38bb2892fda8011774d1b91c7f5b The middle ages was a time when people believed that events are a result of God’s willItalian Renaissance in Its Historical Background]''. (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,1997) p. 19</ref>. Many viewed the plague as a punishment for God Wages rose for the wickedness both agricultural and immorality of the peopleurban workers. There was an upsurge in religious observance and many sections The survivors of the public became swept by a religious fervour, as many sincerely believed that the Black Death was generally had a sign that the end higher standard of living than before the world was comingplague.<ref> BenedictowHays, 20041997, p. 23478 </ref>This was a phenomenon that occurred in both urban and rural areas. Religious fanaticism spread throughout The crisis caused by the peninsula and Black Death led to many men and women performed changes in extreme religious practicesthe economy, such as in response to the fall in the flagellantspopulation. The flagellants whipped themselves into Because of the labor shortages, there was a frenzy move from labor-intensive farming such as cereal to atone for their sins. The Church suffered greatly during the plague, many priests livestock and increase both in industry and especially monks diedagriculture more labor-saving devices employed. The monasteries proved ideal breeding grounds for the plague while many priests contracted the sickness as they gave the last rites to the dying <ref> BenedictowPullan, 20041997, p. 234145 </ref> The impact of the Black Death was contrary on feudalism in Italy. Feudalism was a system whereby peasants and farm laborers bound, as serfs, to serve a local lord. In the north of Italy, good farmland was plentiful, and wages increased, and the last vestiges of feudalism disappeared as serfs increasingly could purchase their freedom.

The result was a shortage In the south of trained monks and priests. To deal with this Italy the Church hastily trained new monks and priests to serve the spiritual needs of opposite occurred, here, since the communityNorman kings, still coming to terms with the trauma of aristocracy had been consolidating feudalism. After the Black Death. This meant that many unsuitable individuals became clerics and this led , the elite responded to a drop in standards among parish priests, in particular<ref> Hays, 1997, p. 178 </ref>. The Church became corrupt and gradually over time lost the respect of many believers. In labor shortages by strengthening the short term restrictions on the Black Death peasants and thereby strengthened the Catholic Church feudalism in southern Italy but in the long run, an increasingly corrupt institution meant that many people lost their faith. This led to the increasing secularisation The consequences of Italian society as many increasingly turned away from the church plague resulted in disgust as a growing divide between the worldliness North and South of prelates and priestsItaly that persists to this day. The contempt that many felt is evident in the stories of Boccaccio of venal and depraved priests, monks and nuns <ref> BoccaccioBenedictow, Ole Jørgen ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1843832143/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=1843832143&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=449097edacea911d1f7384a876564988 Black Death 1346–1353: The Complete History]'' (Cambridge, 1987Cambridge University Press, 2004) p 67, 113. 234</ref>. The church had traditionally monopolised education but In general, after the Black Deatha period of recovery, there was much of Italy became very wealthy as a more secular educationsophisticated economy emerged, especially in the citiesNorth of Italy. This was decisive in crucial, as the emergence increased wealth of Italy allowed the Renaissanceelite, with its emphasis on human values such as the De Medici’s in Florence to become the patrons of great artists such as Michelangelo and experiences rather than religion Leonardo da Vinci.<ref> BenedictowFrederick Hartt, and David G. Wilkins, ''[https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0131882473/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0131882473&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=6cfea7bdf46c76a3b637cf054ebc4f63 History of Italian Art: Painting, Sculpture, Architecture]'' (Oxford University Press, Oxford, 20042003), p. 134 67</ref>.

==Questioning of authority==Religious Consequences====[[File:Petrarch_by_BargillaInitially, in Italy, the plague led to a revival in religion among many.jpg|thumbnail|175px|Petrarch- poet and scholar]]The world middle ages was turned upside down by a time when people believed that events are a result of God’s will. Many viewed the plague as punishment for God for the Black Death. The mental outlook wickedness and immorality of the people changed dramatically. PreviouslyThere was an upsurge in religious observance, and many sections of the public became swept by religious fervor, people assumed as many sincerely believed that the world was fixed and God-ordained. The Black Death overturned old certainties. As we have seen religious orthodoxy and beliefs were undermined by was a sign that the plague and its devastation. People at the time were no longer willing to accept the status quo. This is best seen in the political revolts end of the timeworld was coming. <ref>Benedictow, 2004, p. 174234</ref> The most famous of these, that of poor workers Religious fanaticism spread throughout the peninsula and many men and weavers called popularly the Ciompi, that took place women performed in Florence in 1378. For four yearsextreme religious practices, such as the poor formed flagellants. The flagellants whipped themselves into a frenzy to atone for their sins. The Church suffered greatly during the government of the cityplague, many priests and especially monks died. The revolt was one of several in Italy at monasteries proved ideal breeding grounds for the plague while many priests contracted the time. No longer are people sickness as willing they gave the last rites to question the old ways of doing things and no longer accepted things because they were sanctioned by traditiondying. <ref>Benedictow, 2004, p. 234</ref>

The Black Death led to result was a great questioning shortage of the old certaintiestrained monks and priests. This led manyTo deal with this, especially among the urban elite to use reason Church hastily trained new monks and priests to understand serve the world. They also increasingly turned to spiritual needs of the classics to find answers community, still coming to terms with the problems trauma of lifethe Black Death. The new spirit of inquiry helped This meant that many unsuitable individuals became clerics and this led to ignite the Renaissancea drop in standards among parish priests, especially in politics and philosophy particular.<ref> RuggieroHays, Guido1997, p. ''178 </ref> The Renaissance in Italy: A Social Church became corrupt and Cultural History gradually over time lost the respect of many believers. In the short term the Black Death strengthened the Rinascimento'' (Cambridge University PressCatholic Church in Italy, 2015)but in the long run, p 648</ref>an increasingly corrupt institution meant that many people lost their faith. However, that is not This led to say, that Italy rejected all traditions, it was still a very conservative the increasing secularisation of Italian society in as many ways. However, those who questioned authority and increasingly turned away from the received wisdom, such church in disgust as the Poet worldliness of prelates and Scholar Petrarch inspired priests. The contempt that many felt is evident in the Humanist movementstories of Boccaccio of venal and depraved priests, which valued reason monks and critical thinkingnuns. <ref>Boccaccio, 1987, p 67, 113</ref> The Humanist are essential church had traditionally monopolized education, but after the Black Death, there was more secular education, especially in the cities. This was decisive in the development and progress emergence of the Renaissance, with its emphasis on human values and experiences rather than religion. <ref>BurkhardtBenedictow, 18782004, p. 67134 </ref>

==Cultural Change==[[File:Botticelli<dh-primavera.jpg|thumbnail| Primevera by Botticelli]]Initially, the Black Death led to a fascination with death among many Italians. The loss of life and the suffering led many to become obsessed with death.<ref> Herlihy, D., ''The Black Death and the Transformation of the West'' (Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1997) p. 116</ref> The Dance of Death was a popular motif in art and architecture at this time. The general mood was one of pessimism and indeed many expected that sooner or later that the world would end. Alongside this fear of death and the general mood of pessimism, there was a desire to experience the pleasures of life and to seize any happiness that was on offer. This contradictory impact of the Black Death on the culture of the time can be seen in the writings of two of the greatest figures in European literature, Petrarch and Boccaccio.<ref>Benedictow, 2004, p. 173 <ad/ref> These two writers at times wrote in despair about the human condition yet they also wrote about the joys of life and the beauties of nature.

This sense ====Questioning of authority====[[File:Petrarch_by_Bargilla.jpg|thumbnail|left|175px|Petrarch- poet and scholar]]The world was turned upside down by the Black Death. The mental outlook of people changed dramatically. Previously, people assumed that life the world was fleeting fixed and that every happiness should be seized, led many Italians to seek solace in art God-ordained. The Black Death overturned old certainties. As we have seen the plague and literature its devastation undermined religious orthodoxy and this was one of the factors in the development of the Renaissancebeliefs. Many of People at the elite time were eager no longer willing to enjoy accept the pleasures of life and this led them to patronize artistsstatus quo. It also resulted in a shift This change manifested in the themes numerous political revolts of artiststhe time.<ref> PullanBenedictow, 19732004, p. 173 174</ref>. Religious topics remained popularThe most famous of these, howeverled by the poor workers and weavers called popularly the Ciompi, there was also a fascination with secular themesthat took place in Florence in 1378. For four years, especially from the classical worldpoor formed the government of the city. The new interest revolt was one of several in secular subjects can be seen in a comparison between Giotto and Botticelli. Giotto painted almost exclusively religious paintingsItaly at the time. While Giotto, painted both secular and religious themes, indeed he is best known for his secular works No longer are people as in masterpieces such as Primavera <ref> Hayden B. J. Maginnis, ''Painting in willing to question the Age old ways of Giotto: A Historical Revaluation''(Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1997), p. 78 </ref>doing things and no longer accepted things because they were sanctioned by tradition.

==Social Mobility==The plague disrupted society Black Death led to an unprecedented state. It overturned the existing social structure. Previous, to the outbreak a great questioning of the plague, Italy was a rigid and stratified societyold certainties. The Black Death changed everything. IncreasinglyThis led many, because of especially among the demographic disaster caused by the plague were able urban elite to use reason to take advantage of understand the opportunities caused by the high death rateworld. In They also increasingly turned to the period after classics to find answers to the Black Death, an unprecedented amount problems of social mobility took placelife. Labourers became merchants and merchants become members The new spirit of inquiry helped to ignite the nobility. No longer was a person’s destiny to be fixed by their birth. PreviouslyRenaissance, people assumed that one’s station was fixed at one’s birth especially in politics and that one had to remain a member of the class you were born intophilosophy.<ref> BenedictowRuggiero, 2004, pGuido. ''[https://www.amazon. 73 <com/gp/product/0521719380/ref> People believed that a peasant would always be a peasant, an aristocrat, and aristocrat. Italians, like other peoples, =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0521719380&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=a042e34611daa82f83ef52dd3ac08b6c The Renaissance in Europe, believed that one’s birth determined one’s future Italy: A Social and that this was determined by God.<ref>PullanCultural History of the Rinascimento]'' (Cambridge University Press, 19732015), p. 123 648</ref> However, as social mobility became more widespread because of the Black Death, many people, came to believe that a person’s merits or abilities were what mattered and is not one’s birth.<ref>Benedictowto say, 2004that Italy rejected all traditions, p. 174 </ref> This led to it was still a growing individualism very conservative society in Italian societymany ways. ThisHowever, those who questioned authority and the received wisdom, in turnsuch as the Poet and Scholar Petrarch inspired the Humanist movement, encouraged people to strive which valued reason and to develop their talents critical thinking. The Humanist are essential in the development and achieve excellence or virtueprogress of the Renaissance.<ref>Burkhardt, 1878, p. 7867</ref> The belief in the individual was central to the Renaissance and it inspired many of the greatest artists, architects, sculptures and writers, the world have ever seen to create peerless works.

==Decline of the Nobility==Cultural Change====One group that was adversely impacted [[File:Botticelli-primavera.jpg|thumbnail|left|Primevera by Botticelli]]Initially, the Black Death was the nobility. This was also the case in many other European regions and kingdoms. The nobility suffered as greatly as many others classes as led to a result of the plague and fascination with death among many families died out during the period. In the aftermath of the plague, they found themselves in serious financial difficultiesItalians. The loss of population meant that there was no longer a great demand for their land life and rents fellthe suffering led many to become obsessed with death.<ref>PullanHerlihy, 1973D., p''[https://www.amazon. 123 <com/gp/product/0674076133/ref> Many of their labourers simply left the land =as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0674076133&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=ed19d965a5f4e3c1389be15f87195a5d The Black Death and they were no replaced. Many of the nobility found themselves obliged to sell their serfs their freedom or to sell land to merchants from the cities. At this time, many wealthy merchants purchased new estates. The demise Transformation of the traditional elite meant that a new elite came to the fore, composed of merchants and self-made men. This new elite often keen to patronize arts. They were very conscious of their lack of birth and humble origins.<ref>PullanWest]'' (Cambridge, 1973Massachusetts: Harvard University Press, 1997) p. 23 116</ref> They were keen to use The Dance of Death was a popular motif in art and to patronize men architecture at this time. The general mood was one of letters in order to compensatepessimism, and indeed many expected that sooner or later that the world would end. In order to appear Alongside this fear of death and the equal general mood of the old aristocracypessimism, they sought there was a desire to sponsor artists who would win experience the esteem pleasures of the public<ref> Burkhardt, 1878, p. 78</ref>life and to seize any happiness that was on offer. This was one contradictory impact of the reasons for Black Death on the lavish patronage culture of the de Medici’s time can be seen in Florence. They were keen patrons the writings of two of the arts, greatest figures in order to justify their status in society and to impress the general population. This meant that the great artists had many patronsEuropean literature, who often competed for their talents Petrarch and this allowed them to concentrate on their art and to produce some of the greatest art, ever knownBoccaccio.<ref> Hayden B. J. MaginnisBenedictow, 19972004, p. 167 173 </ref>These two writers at times wrote in despair about the human condition yet they also wrote about the joys of life and the beauties of nature.

==Conclusion==The Black Death devastated Italian society This sense that life was fleeting and that every happiness should be seized, led many Italians to seek solace in art and literature and this was one of the factors in the middle development of the 14th centuryRenaissance. It Many of the elite were eager to enjoy the pleasures of life, and this led them to great socio-economicpatronize artists. It also resulted in a shift in the themes of artists.<ref> Pullan, 1973, p. 173 </ref> Religious topics remained popular, however, there was also a fascination with secular themes, especially from the classical world. The new interest in secular subjects can be seen in a comparison between Giotto and Botticelli. Giotto painted almost exclusively religious paintings. While Giotto, cultural painted both secular and religious changesthemes, indeed he is best known for his secular works as in masterpieces such as Primavera.<ref>Hayden B. J. Maginnis, ''[https://www. After amazon.com/gp/product/0271020911/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=0271020911&linkCode=as2&tag=dailyh0c-20&linkId=390ba05b8bf7168c013a8c5bf3d77d84 Painting in the initial horrors Age of the Giotto: A Historical Reevaluation]''(Princeton, Princeton University Press, 1997), p. 78 </ref> ====Social Mobility====The plague, Italian disrupted society, staged a spectacular recoveryto an unprecedented state. It became richeroverturned the existing social structure. Previous, to the influence outbreak of the Catholic Church plague, Italy was weakened a rigid and stratified society. The Black Death changed everything. Increasingly, because of the demographic disaster caused by the culture became more secularplague were able to take advantage of the opportunities caused by the high death rate. The In the period after the Black Death, an unprecedented amount of social mobility made possible took place. Laborers became merchants and merchants become members of the nobility. No longer was a person’s destiny to be fixed by their birth. Previously, people assumed that one’s station was fixed at one’s birth and that one had to remain a member of the loss of life meant class you were born into.<ref> Benedictow, 2004, p. 73 </ref> People believed that individualism came to a peasant would always be respecteda peasant, an aristocrat, and aristocrat. Italians, like other peoples, in Europe, believed that one’s birth determined one’s future and that this was determined by God.<ref>Pullan, 1973, p. The 123 </ref>  However, as social mobility became more widespread because of the Black Death was , many people, came to believe that a person’s merits or abilities were what mattered and not one’s birth.<ref>Benedictow, 2004, p. 174 </ref> This led to unleash the forces a growing individualism in Italian society that made . This, in turn, encouraged people to strive and to develop their talents and achieve excellence or virtue.<ref>Burkhardt, 1878, p. 78</ref> The belief in the individual was central to the Renaissance possibleand it inspired many of the greatest artists, architects, sculptures and writers, the world have ever seen to create peerless works.<div class=References"portal" style=<references/>[[Category'float:Wikis]][[Categoryright; width:Italian History]][[Category:Medical History]][[Category:European History]] [[Category:Renaissance History]]35%'>

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====Decline of the Nobility====One group that was adversely impacted by the Black Death was the nobility. This was also the case in many other European regions and kingdoms. The nobility suffered as much as many others classes as a result of the plague and many families died out during the period. In the aftermath of the epidemic, they found themselves in serious financial difficulties. The loss of population meant that there was no longer a high demand for their land and rents fell.<ref>Pullan, 1973, p. 123 </ref>  Many of their laborers simply left the land, and they were not replaced. Many of the nobility found themselves obliged to sell their serfs their freedom or to sell land to merchants from the cities. At this time, many wealthy merchants purchased new estates. The demise of the traditional elite meant that a new elite came to the fore, composed of merchants and self-made men. This new elite often keen to patronize arts. They were very conscious of their lack of birth and humble origins.<ref>Pullan, 1973, p. 23 </ref>  They were keen to use art and to patronize men of letters to compensate for lack of traditional authority. In order to appear the equal of the old aristocracy, they sought to sponsor artists who would win the esteem of the public.<ref> Burkhardt, 1878, p. 78</ref> This was one of the reasons for the lavish patronage of the de Medici’s in Florence. They were keen patrons of the arts, to justify their status in society and to impress the general population. This meant that the great artists had many patrons, who often competed for their talents and this allowed them to concentrate on their art and to produce some of the greatest art, ever known.<ref>Hayden B. J. Maginnis, 1997, p. 167 </ref> ====Conclusion====The Black Death devastated Italian society in the middle of the 14th century. It led to great socio-economic, cultural and religious changes. After the initial horrors of the plague, Italian society, staged a spectacular recovery. Italy became richer than before. The impact of the plague reduced the influence of the Catholic Church as diminished, and the culture became more secular. The new social mobility meant that individualism came to be respected. The Black Death unleashed the forces in Italian society that made the Renaissance possible.{{MediawikiMediaWiki:AmNative}}====References====<references/>[[Category:Wikis]][[Category:ItalianHistory]][[Category:Medical History]][[Category:European History]] [[Category:Renaissance History]]Updated January 12, 2019{{Contributors}}