Italian Culture
The History of Italy
The Etruscans-
4,000 years ago in Toscana-Emilia-Romagna and Umbria-founded Etruria-a confederation of small towns
Governed by kings
Religion influenced by the Greeks
Fierce fighters-very ahead of their time.
An untraceable people-had a writing system-influenced the Romans
Magna Grecia
Greater Greece-Greek settlements in southern Italy and Sicily
Romulus and Remus
According to legend –the founders of Rome
Twins were thrown in the river Tevere as result of a civil war.
Their mother was princess Silvia and their father the god Mars
A she wolf raised them until a shepherd continued
Remus is later killed by Romulus who names the great city Rome after himself
Fact or Fiction
The legend is of Romulus and Remus
Historians believe that Rome was founded by an Etruscan named Tarquinius Priscus
Rome was first a monarchy and then became a republic in 509BC
Gods and Man
Festival April 21 each year to commemorate the founding of Rome.
Roman gods took human form
From Republic to Empire
The young republic-500BC-was set up to prevent the power in one family
Consuls and senate
Neighboring tribes challenge Rome but are defeated
390 BC
The Gauls crossed the Alps and invaded the Italian peninsula-almost totally destroyed the city of Rome
The Greeks were concerned about the increase in Roman power
The Greeks win a few battles but lose their control in the Italian Peninsula.
264BC
To become masters of the Mediterranean the Romans have to defeat the Carthaginians from North Africa
The Punic Wars end with Hannibal defeated after crossing the Alps with elephants and invading Italy. Rome attacks back levels Carthage killing or enslaving all and putting salt on the ground so nothing could grow.
Misc Info
Romans built a fantastic road system uniting all the empire. Many of these are still used today.
The language spoken by the Romans was Latin.
Latin gives birth to Spanish/French/Italian/Portuguese/
Romanian
General and Emporers
Julius Caesar-one of the most famous and capable generals-conquered the Gauls-is assassinated as dictator of Rome on March 15 44 BC-war broke out and Caesar’s nephew Octavian restored order-becomes Augustus-brought stability
Empire is from Spain to the Sahara to Eastern Europe
Cont
Caligula-crazy emperor
Claudius-added Britain to the Empire
Nero-destroyed Rome by fire and blamed it on the Christians-began the persecution.-he commits suicide
Vespacian/Trajan/Hadrian/Antonius Pius/Marcus Aurelius-the golden age of Roman Civilization
Cont
Diocletian- divides the empire in 2 for easier administration in 283Ad
From Paganism to Christianity
AD 300-Constantine becomes emperor-moves the capital to Constantinople
323AD-Christianity becomes the official religion of the Roman Empire. Constantine is baptized a Christian.
The fall of Rome
Constantine died and barbarian raids increased various tribes took whatever land they could from the Roman army
476 Roman empire is defeated
Church and State
Christianity plays an important part in forming Italian History.
The head of the Catholic Church is in Rome.
Justinian drives the barbarians from Italy and the Lombards invade setting up small communities in the north.
A struggle begins between the pope and leaders of Italian lands
cont
On Christmas Day 800 the pope crowns Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor
St Benedict-Monte Cassino- religious order-spreads throughout Italy.
Feudal lords-small castles spring up and the feudal system begins in Italy-brought by the northern peoples.
The Middle Ages
Italian society organized by a feudal system
The Middle of the 12th century Firenze/Venezia/Genova/Milano/Mantova/Siena/Pisa/Bologna-prominent city states
The 15th century-5 city states become prominent-
Roma/Napoli.Firenze/Venezia/Milano
Trade from the East begins-Marco Polo
High finance
A great system of finance is formed
Italian merchants are historically known for their high finance skills
Italian bankers became money lenders to many of the noble houses of Europe.
The church did not approve of this.
Bologna-oldest University
Il Rinascimento
With money from commerce nobility begins to take interest in beautification of their property.
Rebirth of the arts begins in Florence-great cathedral/paintings/sculptors
Donatello/DaVinci/Michelangelo etc-many famous artists of this time.
A nation Divided
City states are rivalries in the 16th century
France/Germany and Spain decide to invade Italy-many wars are fought-control of Italy changes hands many times.
Rome is always under the control of the Pope.
Other Italian states also take control of other territories
Il barocco
Bernini-very embellished style begins in Rome
Napoleon in Italy
1796-Napoleon invades Italy-in 1806 becomes King of Italy-last til 1815 when Napoleon is defeated.
Lombardia/Venezia become part of the Austrian Empire
Piemonte-Sardegna remain independent
The Kingdom of 2 Sicilies ruled by the Spanish
The invasion of Napoleon sets the seeds for the unification movement of Italy.
La Repubblica italiana
Il risorgimento-the movement of Italy towards its unification and independence.
Mazzini-political writer and philosopher-la Giovine Italia
Cavour-Statesman-promote Italy as a united country
Vittorio Emanuele II-becomes the 1st king of united Italy
Garibaldi-general who unites the Italian peoples
1872-King enters Rome-now united
The Grand Tour
18th /19th centuries saw the birth of the Grand Tour
Wealthy tourists visit from England
Italy also attracted many famous writers at this time
WWI
Italy enters on the side of the French and British.
Italy loses many troops in WWI
Italy gains little territory as a result of the war.
Severe economic problems persist
Il Duce
AS a result of the severe economic problems Benito Mussolini comes to power as a fascist dictator in 1922.
The economy is revitalized
The armed forces were re-equipped
All opposition to Mussolini is banned
Italy takes control of territories in Africa and Albania
Mussolini allies Italy with Hitler and enters WW2 with the Germans
Cont
Italy was invaded by US/British and Canadian Armies.
A new government is formed and Italy declares war on Germany
Mussolini is arrested and killed while trying to escape.
A referendum was held in 1946 and the republic is approved. The king is sent to Portugal for exile.
EEC
Italy is one of the founding members of the European Economic Community and continues to play a vital role in European politics
The modern Italian Republic exists today
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