Lorenzo Valla's analysis of the Donation of Constantine in the "On the False Donation of Constantine" showed that an educated person cannot be controlled. Knowledge is power. During the dark ages, most people---basically EVERYONE, was ignorant and uneducated (in europe) He wasn't. The Church was the leader for all. The Church is what gave people hope. The Pope led the Church. He used is skill in languages to read the "Donation of Constantine" to see that there is NO WAY IT WAS REAL! Ok, Constantine is in reference to Roman Emperor Constantine (constantinople?!) What it said was the Emperor had "Donated" lots of land in the Roman Empire to the Catholic Church. When Valla read it he realized "this cannot be correct. The words that they're using weren't even AROUND during Constantines time!!! They didn't come into use 'til like 500 year later." Basically, the document was a forgery used by the Catholic Church to assert power and authority over the people=basically as feudal lord and obviously as spiritual savior. Heaven could only be found through the Church-the Pope LED the Church.Now Valla did NOT mean to embarrass his Church, he loved it. in the 16th century, opponents of the Church and enemies of the Pope will point to Valla's work and say "SEE!!! They're lying to us! They care only bout power, not spirituality or the words in the Bible."

 

 

Extra Credit Opportunity.

 

IF you got points today, you can answer but you won't be eligible. "what was the printing press? Who invented it? How would the printing press HELP lead the Renaissance? Why would books become more readily available and can you express to me WHAT MORE BOOKS might mean for an ignorant Europe? What about for a Catholic CHurhc that controlled ALL knowledge? three points extra to the 5 best. the BEST, not the first. I need analysis not regurgitation of wikipeadia. You're words and a clear understanding "WHY!!"By 1pm tomorrow.