Final answer:
Renaissance humanists were inspired by Greek and Roman antiquity, aiming to improve society through studying humanities. The movement, influenced by figures like Petrarch, blended classical wisdom with Christian teachings to elevate human potential and piety. Humanism became the bedrock for cultural and intellectual revivals in cities like Florence and Rome.
Step-by-step explanation:
Humanists in the Renaissance were deeply inspired by the cultural and literary achievements of ancient Greece and Rome. They believed that human beings had great potential for improvement and that by studying the humanities—such as grammar, rhetoric, history, poetry, and moral philosophy—they could cultivate eloquent expression and civic engagement. This movement was largely influenced by the work of Italian scholar and poet Francesco Petrarca, known as Petrarch, who has been dubbed the 'Father of Humanism'.
These scholars held the view that by revisiting the riches of the classical past, they could refine their own nature and the society around them. Figures like Donatello demonstrated this through art, creating sculptures imbued with humanist ideals. Similarly, the integration of Christian teachings and classical texts by northern European humanists aimed to reform the church and improve individual piety.
Centers of Humanism such as Florence, Naples, and Rome became vibrant hubs for this intellectual pursuit, creating a new sense of what it meant to be human and a revival of interest in human potential, dignity, and achievements.