Spencer Heath Archive

Item 598

Quote from Jacob Burckhardt, The Civilization of the Renaissance in Italy, pages 181-182

Original is missing.

“But the great and general enthusiasm of the Italians for classical antiquity did not display itself before the 14th century. For this a development of civic life was required, which took place only in Italy, and there not till then. It was needful that noble and burgher should first learn to dwell together on equal terms, and that a social world should arise which felt the want of culture, and had the leisure and the means to attain it.”