More than ever before, the Renaissance stands as one of the defining moments in world history. Between 1400 & 1600, European perceptions of society, culture, politics & even humanity itself emerged in ways that continue to affect not only Europe but the entire world. This wide-ranging exploration of the Renaissance sees the period as a time of unprecedented intellectual excitement & cultural experimentation & interaction on a global scale, alongside a darker side of religion, intolerance, slavery, & massive inequality of wealth & status. It guides the reader through the key issues that defined the period, from its art, architecture, & literature, to advancements in the fields of science, trade, & travel. In its incisive account of the complexities of the political & religious upheavals of the period, the book argues that Europe`s reciprocal relationship with its eastern neighbours offers us a timely perspective on the Renaissance that still has much to teach us today.