The Renaissance was a transformative era in European history, bridging the gap between the Middle Ages and the modern world. Lasting from the 14th to the 17th century, the movement focused on reviving the classical philosophy, literature, and art of ancient Greece and Rome. This intellectual shift was powered by humanism, which celebrated human potential and encouraged advances in science, politics, and exploration. While it began in Florence, the movement eventually spread across the continent, taking on unique cultural characteristics in regions like England, France, and Germany. Ultimately, the period redefined Western civilization through landmark achievements in realistic art, modern banking, and the Scientific Revolution.