Response to: "Cultural Introduction to Renaissance Rome" by Ingrid D. Rowland

            “Roma caput mundi”, meaning “Rome, head of the world” was a phrase written by a poet named Lucan.  It was the idea that encompassed Rome and which is thought to have helped turned Rome from ruins to a modern European capital in the time of just two centuries.  This phrase because a mantra used and praised by many different kinds of people, all whom it inspired.  This mantra helped evolve a way of studying among scholars called “studia humanitatis”, meaning “the study of humanity”.  This study of humanity was the creation of what is now known as humanists. 

            Rome was recorded to have been in the midst of it’s ruins until about the mid-fifteenth century.  It wasn’t until apparently a crucifix spoke to Francis of Assisi telling him to “rebuild my church” that the possibility of the reconstruction of Rome was even taken into consideration.  It was believed by those rebuilding Rome that what they were doing was an act of God.  According to the opinion of Petrarch, the most pivotal part of Rome’s change was the Papacy.  In order to make room for the new Rome, there was a the group of humanists who were part of the Curia which really seemed to have fueled the change.  Their beliefs and way of being was such a crucial part to the way Rome developed.

            What really was the final say that pushed forward the creation of Renaissance Rome was money.  The city was only in a position of power once they began to have financial stability in the mid-fifteenth century.  At that time the papacy was in place, which provided Rome with a main, stable source of employment. 

            In conclusion, it seemed as though the main factors in the recreation of Rome were the humanist agenda, religion, and money.