Italy

Richard Cavendish describes the Battle of Civitate, fought by the Normans and a papal coalition on June 18th, 1053.

Christopher Duggan recalls the contribution of a forgotten Italian statesman - Francesco Crispi.

F.G. Stapleton defends the record of Italian governments from 1861 to 1914.

Timothy Benson assesses Hitler's irritated reaction to being lampooned by David Low of the Evening Standard.

Guiseppe Verdi, described by the Italian parliament as 'one of the highest expressions of the national genius' died on January 27th, 1901, aged 87.

The radical Italian thinker was burned at the stake on February 17th, 1600.

The great opera premiered in Rome on January 14th, 1900.

Stephen Gundle settles in the stalls to re-view the epochal Fellini film that defined the hedonistic spirit of post-war Italy.

Was Britain's reputation as the champion of Italian independence really warranted? Giuseppe Garibaldi was undoubtedly popular with Britons, but Peter Clements is sceptical.

Richard O. Collin tells the story of Italy’s parallel police forces, and how they have contended with Mussolini, the Red Brigades – and the Mafia.