The document summarizes three key themes in Western humanities from the late Middle Ages to the modern age: 1) The growth of rational, scientific inquiry. 2) The persistent tension between Judeo-Christian religious ideals and social realities. 3) The emergence of constitutional forms of government. It then provides details on various aspects of these themes, including developments in science, theology, philosophy, literature, art, architecture, and political systems.

1. Themes in the Western Humanities Late Middle Ages to the Modern Age

5. Why Do They Hate Us? Bin Laden’s Beliefs For this and other acts of aggression and injustice, we have declared jihad against the US … in our religion it is our duty to make jihad so that God's word is the one exalted to the heights and so that we drive the Americans away from all Muslim countries … The country of the Two Holy Places has in our religion a peculiarity of its own over the other Muslim countries. In our religion, it is not permissible for any non-Muslim to stay in our country.

43. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages The ornate exterior of the church of St. Maclou in Rouen, France, illustrates the Late Gothic Style. Note how the facade fans out to form a semicircular entrance, the number of portals (5), and the intricately designed arches.

44. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages The choir of of Gloucester Cathedral illoustrates the Perpendicular Gothic style; note how the thin pier, attached to the walls, lace together on the ceiling, creating elaborate patterns that complement the glass.

45. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages This view of the south cloister of Gloucester Cathedral with its fan vaulting and rich, delicate decoration, further illustrates the Late Gothic Style.

46. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages While Italian Gothic architecture has much in common with the Romanesque style, the cathedral in Siena is a key example of Late Italin Gothic design.

47. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages While built in the Late Middle Ages, Giotto’s Tower in Florence anticipates the Classical ideal that was revived in the Renaissance .

49. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages Giovanni Pisano, Pulpit in the Pisa Cathedral. The inscription on the piece -- in which he takes responsibility for the work -- shows the emergence of a new breed of artists in the 14 th century

50. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages Pisano’s nativity scene in the Pisa Cathedral reveals a Classic sense of balance in a fundamentally Gothic piece – again foreshadowing the Renaissance.

51. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages Claus Sluter’s Moses has a sense of drama and personal emotion that make the statue nearly an individual portrait, though rooted firmly in the allegorical tradition.

53. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages Limbourg Brothers,Month of January, from Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry. This mionaiature painting provides a wealth of detail about social history in the Late Middle Ages.

54. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages Housebook Master. Leisure Time at the Bath. This Chaucerian-like scene, with its frank sensuality, shows that the Late Middle Ages were becoming increasingly secualr and even sensual.

55. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages

56. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages In his Pieta, which revives the realistic Classical tradition, Giotto creates three-dimensional space in a way even the Greeks and Romans had not used .

57. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages In the Ghent Altarpiece, van Eyck sought reality through the accumulation or precise and often symbolic details

58. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages van Eyck, The Arnolfini Wedding.

59. The Cultural Flowering of the Late Middle Ages Hans Memling, Madonna and Child with Angels. Memling introduced some Italian elements into this painting (putti, stringed musical instruments) suggesting awareness of developments in Italy.