Italy’s Fascist War
Philip Morgan explains why Italians have tended to gloss over the period 1940-43, when Mussolini fought against the Allies, preferring to remember the years of German occupation 1943-45.
Italy
Giuseppe Mazzini
Robert Pearce highlights Giuseppe Mazzini’s role in the Risorgimento.
Hadrian’s Hall
Charles Freeman visits the Eternal City, and finds the Castel Sant’Angelo, home to emperors and popes, to be the clue to unravelling its fabulously rich and complex history.
Niccolo Machiavelli – the Cunning Critic of Political Reason
Vincent Barnett reveals that there is more to Machiavelli than his notorious reputation.
Was Leonardo a Christian?
The beliefs of the man who painted some of the most famous Christian images are shrouded in mystery. Alex Keller coaxes Leonardo da Vinci’s thoughts out of some little-known personal writings.
How was Italy Unified?
Alan Farmer examines the process which led to the unification of Italy.
Coming to Terms with Fascism in Italy
Mussolini casts a long shadow. R J.B. Bosworth describes how Italians of both the left and the right have used memories of his long dictatorship to underpin their own versions of history and politics.
Birth of Giuseppe Mazzini
Richard Cavendish charts the life of the Italian nationalist Guiseppe Mazzini.
Abdication of the Emperor Diocletian
The Roman emperor abdicated on May 1st, 305.
Execution of Marin Falier, Doge of Venice
Richard Cavendish charts the events leading up to the execution of Marin Falier, Doge of Venice, on April 18th, 1355.