The Renaissance and Paganism are two terms that perhaps normally don't go together, but they certainly did in the case of Georgios Gemistos, later known as Pletho (Plethon). Born to a well off family in Constantinople, he became interrested in the then rather neglected works of Plato early in his life. For as long as he breathed Gemistus would try to revive Platonism, spreading deeper understanding of the philosophy to the Italians through the Council of Florence, and teaching it to his pupils in southern Greece. His pagan beliefs weren't discovered until after his death, through a secret book that he left behind ...

"Suonatore di Liuto" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)
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