c. 1500, "to light up, shine on," a back-formation from illumination or else from Latin illuminatus, past participle of illuminare "light up, make light, illuminate." Earlier was enlumyen
Isolation--follow a long period of isolation, the Islamic Empires had not been trading or gaining new innovations during the 19th century.
As European countries began to explore and open trade, the Muslim Empires had been at their peak and refused trading rights with them. This economic isolation led the countries to also lose out on new knowledge and innovations. The Muslim Empires found themselves behind by the 20th century and unable to protect their empires.
<span>Humanism is the term generally applied to the predominant social philosophy and intellectual and literary currents of the period from 1400 to 1650. The return to favor of the pagan classics stimulated the philosophy of secularism, the appreciation of worldly pleasures, and above all intensified the assertion of personal independence and individual expression. Zeal for the classics was a result as well as a cause of the growing secular view of life. Expansion of trade, growth of prosperity and luxury, and widening social contacts generated interest in worldly pleasures, in spite of formal allegiance to ascetic Christian doctrine. Men thus affected -- the humanists -- welcomed classical writers who revealed similar social values and secular attitudes.</span>
