The Italian humanists, who were interested in the study of the liberal arts, played a very important role in the 'revival of antiquity". It was their thirst for knowledge that led to such extensive searches into the past. It was also the humanists who devoted themselves to the New Learning that these discoveries led to. Schools were opened that focused on this humanistic learning, which led Italy to become both the scholastic and cultural centre of Europe.

             Although Italy was undoubtedly the spearhead of this 'revival of antiquity," and the New Learning that followed, it did catch on throughout Europe. Germany, who had political ties with Italy, caught on rather quickly, and developed their own Renaissance and their own humanists. In Germany, however, humanists were concerned with antiquity for a different reason than their Italian counterparts. Germans were more concerned with finding a way to reform the Church to become more moral and ethical. The German-speaking areas of Europe did not have the same special circumstances that Italy had, and therefore, the Renaissance they experienced focused more on the Church and ecclesiastical studies. This bred much religious discontent and social disorder.

             An important contribution of the Renaissance in Germany was the introduction of new grammar schools started by the Brethen of the Common Life. In these schools, young boys were given a chance to learn and participate in the New Learning by studying the Latin classics and grammar. .

             As mentioned earlier, the humanists played a vital role in the 'revival of antiquity". Many people participated, but a few stand out above the rest, as their contributions to the knowledge of ancient literature, ideas and history, were great. .

             One man who stands out is Francesco Petrarca (1304-74), who has been termed by many as the father of humanism. Petrarca found in the Latin classics, valuable lessons about life, literature and scholarship.