The Italian Renaissance, lasting from 1250 to 1500, was the rebirth of the culture of classical Greece and Rome. The scholars of the renaissance recognized the transition into a new age: historians during the renaissance separated history up to that time into the three categories of ancient, medieval, and modern history. This division, known as the tripartite division of history, originated with Italian humanists. Humanists separated the influence of church from thought, and secularized art in Italy. Meritocracy also contributed to the renaissance in Italy through individualism. The Italian Renaissance was the center of the renaissance in all of Europe. The lack of papal and imperial authority freed intellects from taking steps away from