Key Concepts and Figures of the Renaissance

Front

Renaissance

Back

A period of cultural, artistic, political, and economic 'rebirth' following the Middle Ages, characterized by an emphasis on classical learning and values.

Front

Heliocentric Theory

Back

The astronomical model developed by Copernicus, which posits that the Sun is at the center of the universe, and the Earth and other planets revolve around it.

Front

Geocentric Theory

Back

The ancient astronomical theory that places Earth at the center of the universe, with the Sun, Moon, stars, and planets all orbiting around it.

Front

Protestant Reformation

Back

A religious reform movement in the 16th century that led to the creation of Protestantism and the division of Western Christianity.

Front

Johannes Kepler

Back

A German mathematician and astronomer who is best known for his laws of planetary motion, which provided one of the foundations for Isaac Newton's theory of universal gravitation.

Front

Copernicus

Back

A Renaissance-era mathematician and astronomer who formulated a model of the universe that placed the Sun rather than Earth at its center.

Front

Galileo Galilei

Back

An Italian astronomer, physicist, and engineer, known for his contributions to modern science, including improvements to the telescope and consequent astronomical observations.

Front

Isaac Newton

Back

An English mathematician, physicist, and astronomer who is widely recognized as one of the most influential scientists of all time, known for his laws of motion and universal gravitation.