Which statements correctly describe why the renaissance began in the italian city-states? choose all answers that are correct. a. the ruins of the roman empire still stood in italy and people there maintained a connection with the learning of the past. b. some wealthy merchants used their wealth to support humanist ideas, learning, art, architecture, and literature. c. the popes established a school for artists that attracted the finest talent from throughout europe. d. italy had not suffered from the dark days of the middle ages or from the plague