Which of the following was a major factor in the spread of humanist culture in the late 15th and early 16th century? Annual meetings held by scholars in Rome Italian armies conquering France and Spain The creation of new religious orders by the papacy The development of the printing press

The development of the printing press was a major factor in the spread of humanist culture in the late 15th and early 16th century. The invention of the printing press by Johannes Gutenberg around 1440 allowed for the mass production of books and written materials, making it easier to disseminate humanist ideas and literature across Europe. This technological advancement significantly contributed to the spread of knowledge and the cultural movement known as the Renaissance.