The humanistic revival of classical art, literature, and learning originating in the 14 century Italy and later spreading through Europe

Leonardo and Michelangelo.

"The only way they could assimilate it was to abandon the entire medieval outlook and enter into a new expansion of reason." - Pirsig

"Homer became the leading figure...Boccaccio, Plutarch, and Lorenzo Valla were all acolytes." - Boorstin

Erasmus was such a critic about it back then...