Final answer:
Rome nearly went broke during the Renaissance primarily due to lavish patronage of the arts backed by the economic wealth from increased trade. Wealthy families and the Church funded many art projects, leading to significant expenditures that strained Rome's financial resources.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question of why Rome nearly went broke during the Renaissance can be attributed primarily to d) Lavish patronage of the arts. The Renaissance period was marked by significant economic changes due to various factors, including the aftermath of the Black Death, the decline of feudalism, and the increase in trade and commerce. The Black Death reduced Europe's population significantly, eventually leading to a labor shortage that increased wages and, along with the decline of feudalism, contributed to the growth of a wealthier and more commercially active society. These factors influenced the rise of a class of bankers, merchants, and skilled artisans. However, the funds that flowed into Europe and particularly Rome resulted in excessive patronage of the arts. Families like the Medici and the Catholic Church invested immense sums into the arts, funding the works of many prolific artists of the time.
Furthermore, Italian city-states traded extensively during the late Middle Ages which increased wealth and the capacity for art patronage. Italian Trade Cities like Venice, Florence, and Milan became prosperous, and the influx of wealth also coincided with an increase in the patronage of the arts. This patronage was a significant factor in why Rome nearly went broke, as resources were lavishly spent on art pieces and architectural projects, not on bolstering economic stability or investing in other more sustainable ventures.