The arrival of the Renaissance in Europe brought many developments that led to an entirely new political, economic and social structure. During the 1400s and 1500s a great change occurred in all aspects of life in Italy. The Renaissance period of the 1500s was a time of inspirational artistic wonders that emphasized individual achievement, giving individuals their own ideals to follow. The inspiration of the ancient Greeks and Romans led to humanist beliefs and encouraged humans to achieve in many areas. Recovery from 14th-century disasters such as the plague, political instability, and the decline of the Church's power led to an interest in ancient culture. As interests grew, the Renaissance arose in Italy for three reasons. First, Italy had several major cities, while most of Northern Europe was still rural. Second, these cities included a class of wealthy and powerful merchants and bankers. Third, the ruined buildings and other reminders of classical Rome inspired Italian artists and scholars. Society was also divided into three states, or social classes. The first estate was the clergy, the second the nobility, and the third the common people, that is, peasants and citizens. Furthermore, marriages were arranged to strengthen political ties, and humanism, the new interest in the classical, led to an important value in the Renaissance. People's ideals have changed. Italian writers, Machiavelli and Castiglione, began creating plays and other writings that did not hold back their true beliefs. Art, literature, mathematics and science progressed greatly thanks to humanism, and works of art became more realistic. Techniques such as fresco, developed by Masaccio, allowed for the illusion of depth. Many other te...... middle of paper...... main pillars were the Jesuits founded by Ignatius of Loyola, the reform of the papacy which came partly to Protestantism, and the Council of Trent which was a Commission of Reform appointed in 1537 to determine the evils of the Church and affirm traditional Catholic teachings. Then, Protestantism spread further and further from Rome. The arrival of the Renaissance in Europe brought many developments that led to a completely new political, economic and social structure, but it also brought corruption in the Church. The inspiration of the ancient Greeks and Romans led to humanistic beliefs and encouraged humans to achieve in many areas. The Church was no longer the center of life for many people, but it was still an important aspect. When asked about serious questions and political concerns, the Reformation provoked Catholic responses in many areas of Europe.