Download The Italians before Italy: Conflict and Competition in the Mediterranean AudioBook Free
Take a riveting head to of the Italian peninsula, from the glittering canals of Venice to the luxurious papal rentals and ancient ruins of Rome. In these 24 lectures, Professor Bartlett traces the development of the Italian city-states of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, demonstrating how the modern land of Italy was forged out of the rivalries, allegiances, and traditions of a vibrant and diverse people. This comprehensive family portrait of Italian history opens a thrilling new world-a grand mosaic of lustrous and storied cultures as distinctive as the people who helped build them. As you may come to know these many "Italys," you'll see how the Italian states described themselves against the others, competing for territory, trade, and creative supremacy - and how the vestiges of the interactions are visible even today. Among other activities, you'll consider the rivalry between the Genoese and the Pisans, which stems from a practically 800-year-old grudge; examine how the crusades influenced the development of Genoa, Pisa, and Venice; and explore Italy's troubled relationship with the Holy Roman Empire and the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. You will also get a glimpse in to the lives of the powerful and important, including Pope Paul IV, who championed the Roman Inquisition, and Luigi Gonzaga, who cut out the hearts of his enemies and nailed those to the doors of the palaces as a alert to others who might test his power. As you get to know the distinctive personalities and incidents that define the peninsula, you'll gain fresh insights in to the Italy of today. Surprising, enriching, always participating, this program offers a unique perspective on one of the very most active and creative cultures of today's world.
