Italian History

Italy has long been credited as the birthplace of the European Renaissance. However, during the early years of the Renaissance, much of Italy was at war.

Nov 23, 2009 - Lorri Brown

In ancient times certain women were thought to possess the 'god given' power of prophecy; they were known as the 'Sibyls'.

Nov 4, 2009 - Hari Navarro

The horrors of medieval prejudice & fanaticism are alive in Triora, a crows' nest of a village clasped to a rocky peak high above the Italian coastline some 40 km away.

Sep 4, 2009 - Hari Navarro

King Vittorio Emanuele II oversaw the unification of Italy in 1861, and his successors in the Savoy dynasty ruled until they were overthrown nearly a century later.

Aug 25, 2009 - Emily Chauviere

Mussolini, known as Il Duce was an Italian dictator who created a fascist ideology and influenced a number of political figures during the second World War.

Jul 29, 2009 - Jo Lamb-White

President Eisenhower considered Italo Balbo more an American hero than an Italian for his passion for doing things on a grand scale.

Jul 11, 2009 - Alessandro Mastrorocco

From basic needs to elaborate feasts to simple techniques, the food of Italy has evolved through culture and education.

Jun 25, 2009 - Janice Therese Mancuso

The history of the Agarla di Breia press has been preserved by its conversion to a museum. The machines are a witness to the old-fashioned way of making wine or cider.

Mar 30, 2009 - Beverly Yip

A summary of some of the finest places to experience, not only the performances but also the historical richness within which they are enjoyed.

Feb 11, 2009 - Jo Lamb-White

Italian unification is indebted to Giuseppe Mazzini and Giuseppe Garibaldi, but the policies and actions of Camillo Cavour ensured the Risorgimento.

Feb 8, 2009 - Michael Streich

St. Peter's Basilica in Rome took decades to complete, employed the talents of great artists, and connects to history both past and present.

Dec 23, 2008 - Michael Streich

In many respects the Italians were in a similar position to the Germans when it came down to the colonisation of Africa, latecomers to the imperial game.

Nov 25, 2008 - Barry Vale

In his youth Niccolo Machiavelli had been a very promising scholar, indeed he was a fine example of a Renaissance man if there ever was one.

Oct 23, 2008 - Barry Vale

An overwhelming sense of despair was the prime motivation for Niccolo Machiavelli in writing The Prince as he was despairing about the present and the future of Italy.

Oct 18, 2008 - Barry Vale

Capri Island is one of the upscale getaways for the rich and famous. But this posh Italian resort has a long history dating back almost 2000 years.

Jul 21, 2008 - Lisa Cucciniello

Florence Italy's early past has not carried into today. Thanks can be given to one prominent family, the Medicis, who carried Florence from the Black Death to fame.

Jul 6, 2008 - Lisa Cucciniello

Leonardo da Vinci and his Renaissance contemporary Nicholas Copernicus were two renaissance philosophers who took on the task of analyzing man and nature.

Jun 30, 2008 - Stephanie Cox

This powerful civilization held great influence particularly in North and Western Italy. However, very little evidence remains of their contributions to modern society.

Jun 4, 2008 - Jo Lamb-White

Written Italian language has been around since the 10th century. Today, most Italians speak a common language which has only been in existence for 147 years.

May 17, 2008 - Jo Lamb-White

An exploration of three great architectural achievements of ancient and renaissance Rome, in the heart of Italy.

May 10, 2008 - Jo Lamb-White

Benito Mussolini seized control of the Italian Government in 1922 established his Italian Secret Police and would hold a vice-like stranglehold on Italy for 21 years.

Apr 17, 2008 - Jim Osborn

Italy, the center of the Catholic Church, has a long history of Christmas traditions, including the presepio, La Befana and ceppos.

Nov 12, 2007 - Lorri Brown