The Renaissance was a period of revival of the classical knowledge of the Greeks and Romans in Western Europe after the Middle Ages. Humanism, pioneered by Pettrarch, was the popular belief at that time. People no longer believed that art and culture were solely in the hands of the clergy. People wanted to explore and be creative, to be a part of the arts and literature themselves. The Medici family were great humanists and made a significant contribution to the development of the Italian and European Renaissance. The Medici family was able to achieve their feats during the Renaissance thanks to their enormous power. The source of the Medici's power and influence lay in their great wealth. During the period before the Renaissance, known as the Middle Ages, the influence of the Church was to live a humble and simple life. Throughout this period, money and greatness did not matter, but the inherited noble title that people were born with; people are born into a destiny and are stuck there for the rest of their lives. There was no possibility of climbing the ladder of power. In contrast, during the Renaissance, wealthy families like the Medici were able to flaunt their wealth and draw attention to it. It became laudable to beautify art, their palaces and their possessions as an expression of humanism. Art, philosophy, wealth and greatness were the most important part of life. Wealth was the driving force for the Medici and other prominent figures in Florence at the time. Obtaining wealth was the ultimate goal. A person's level of wealth determined their political power and social success. “. . . The magnificence that is associated with Florence in the era of Loranzo [de medici] is attributed largely to the moral transformation from which the ostentatious display of their creations. Another member, Grand Duke Cosimo II de Medici, appointed Galileo Galilei professor at the University of Pisa to teach philosophy and mathematics. Additionally, he used his family's memorable occasion to teach performing arts. “Poets, scholars and artists such as Michelangelo flocked to the Medici Palace. » (Barron 163). Many Renaissance artists felt comfortable with the support of the Medici and were grateful to them for their contribution. By creating this air of comfort and protection, the Renaissance was able to flourish under the Medici family. The Medici were a very influential family during the European Renaissance. They used their money and power to build the city of Florence and advocate the study of art, literature, and the ideas of humanism. The Medici family made a significant contribution to the European and Italian Renaissance.