One of the reasons for the blossoming of the European Renaissance was the rediscovery of ancient Greek and Roman learning. Certain people realized that non-Christian (albeit, still European) peoples could have a lot to say of import. The Humanist movement felt that the ancient pagans were actually better than the modern European , and so either attempted to question or even alter their world in the ancient mold, or to "explain away" differences between their world and that of the Greeks (i.e., demonstrating Plato's supposed agreement with Catholic doctrine). This movement affected not only religion, science, and philosophy, but the arts as well.  During this period, artists attempted to copy Classical styles of painting and architecture; it was even in vogue to sculpt contemporary people in Classic Greek garb!