During the Middle Ages (a period of European history which began in the fifth century) art and learning was centered on theology. But at the start of the fourteenth century, thinkers and artists turned their eye toward humanity. This cultural movement was called the Renaissance. It started in northern Italy, and then gradually spread to the rest of western Europe. Many historians consider the Renaissance the beginning of the modern era of human history.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"