The So-Called Twelfth Century Renaissance
William A. Nitze
THE frequent use of words or indeed names tends to wear down their meaning. They contract and at the same time expand significance. We say 'they are nice people,' forgetting that basic long-prevailing meaning 'nice' was 'ignorant' 'foolish' (NED). And so it is with name 'Renaissance,' as commonly applied rebirth antiquity in fifteenth sixteenth century Wiedergeburt des Altertums, Burckhardt's classic phrase. I have always assumed by Burckhardt meant, not a revival something somnolent time, but actually new birth re-creation an ancient world had been discovered anew. It this idea should like contrast Classical re-awakening twelfth century. The truth lies often shading, instance shading importance if we wish keep our distinctions clear. Let us look, for moment, word Renaissance stricter sense. 'By term Renaissance, birth,' said John Addington Symonds, 'is indicated . history attainment self-conscious freedom human spirit manifested European races.' great achievements thought Michelet, were 'the discovery man' humanism age upheld has generally regarded humanitas Cicero, which turn paideia Greek way life. In Symonds (Encycl. Brit., l1th ed.):
Speculum