Italian humanism, despite some repression from the Church which at times supported it, introduced the study of Greek, trans¬lated Plato's writings into Latin, and produced work in historiogra¬phy. A belief that humans had great potential and an innate ethical sense is clearly reflected in humanist writings. Not so clear is their image of the human. Castiglione's Courtier, for example, presents a worldly, cultured gentleman which contrasts with Machiavelli's evil, though rational, Prince.