The history of Italy is very ancient, it can be studied all my life. It is full of events and interesting facts, and you can compare it by the number of ancient monuments only with Greece. Italy is the cradle of one of the greatest civilizations on earth. The ancient Roman Empire was the most powerful in the history of mankind, it left a rich inheritance to its descendants in the form of monuments of architecture and art. The article will discuss the history and culture of Italy, the formation of the state and its development.
Ancient times
Archaeologists believe that on the territory of the Apennine Peninsula, man already existed during the Paleolithic and Mesolithic. About 5000 years BC (the beginning of the Neolithic), small tribes of hunters began to unite into more civilized settlements, the main occupation of the population of which was agriculture. Stone tools and clay dishes were used. Metal processing skills were brought to these lands by migrants from the east.
In the Bronze Age (approximately 1800-1000 BC), a culture was developed in Central and Southern Italy that is called “Apennine” in history (it is characterized by the development of animal husbandry using the high mountain pastures of the Apennines). The ceramics were polished, black, decorated with spirals, dots or stripes.
Sicily at this time already begins to trade with the Greeks. Around 1500 BC, tribes settled in the Po River Valley, who built houses on stilts, possessed the unique ability to process bronze, and performed the rite of cremation of the dead.
The Iron Age was marked by the conquest of southern Italy and Sicily by the Greeks, as well as the appearance of the Etruscans in the central part of the Apennines. According to historians, their culture played an important role in the formation and development of Italy as a state. By the end of the 7th century BC, the Etruscans annexed to their lands areas that centuries later became known as Campania and Lazio. These people conquered Rome, which was founded in 754 BC, and from 616 BC until 510 BC. e. ruled by their kings. Their power greatly weakened after Rome began the process of unification of Italy, which almost ended by 89 BC, when Latin and Roman law spread throughout the territory from the Alps to Sicily.
Cradle of civilizations
In ancient times, agriculture was developed in the south of the peninsula, fishing was practiced on the coast (fishing villages arose here one after another), but the mountainous regions were empty. Frequent earthquakes taught people how to build their houses on stone or wooden piles.
Various civilizations appeared one after another on the peninsula:
- The Etruscans lived in central and northern Italy.
- Venets are the northeast of the peninsula.
- Ligur - northwest.
- Siculas and Sicans populated Sicily.
- The Yapigis lived in the southeast of the Apennines.
- Gauls after their raids settled along the riverbed.
The Etruscans built cities, some of them exist at the present time (for example, Perugia, Arezzo). A developed culture and economy has allowed local peoples to flourish and develop.
Times of Ancient Rome
The history of Italy from the time of Ancient Rome began to develop on several hills, which, it is worth noting, were very hostile to each other. But over time, the settlements merged into a single city. It was founded, according to the official version, by the Latins in 754 BC. They were a warlike people who constantly made military campaigns in neighboring lands and won victories. As a result of such aggressive wars, Central Italy was conquered in 290 BC.
The history of ancient Rome is closely intertwined with the cruelty of emperors and generals. From 264 to 146 BC, military conflicts arose with the kingdom of Carthage, in the same period Sicily, Corsica, Sardinia were conquered. The empire expanded west and east, forming the most powerful civilization in the Mediterranean.
Other important events in the history of Italy since ancient Rome were:
- In 96 BC e. the construction of the Coliseum was completed, in which the whole Ancient City enjoyed "bread and circuses."
- From 73 to 71 years BC. e. there was a third rebellion of the slaves, led by Spartacus.
- From 58-51 years BC. e. - the conquest of the northern part of Italy and most of Britain, as well as Gaul.
- In 30 BC e. - the annexation of the kingdom of Egypt.
- The conquest of Judea and the destruction of Jerusalem.
The history of Italy since ancient Rome is characterized by the rapid development of new cities, the construction of roads, the introduction of a single currency in the entire empire.
Beginning in the 3rd century, a crisis began in the Roman Empire: constantly changing emperors were engaged only in intrigue, absolutely not paying attention to government, and soon completely lost real power. This position was seized by the Visigoth tribes and captured Rome in 455. The city was plundered, many palaces and temples destroyed, works of art destroyed. Other cities of the empire shared the same fate with Rome. Emperor Constantine in 330 moved the capital from Rome to Constantinople, from this period the empire began to shrink and eventually split up into East and West.
The revival of Rome began with the spread of Christianity. In the 2nd century, dioceses were founded in Ravenna, Milan, Naples and Rome. But already in 476, power in Italy passed into the hands of the barbarians. From 493 to 526, Italy's social and political ties with Byzantium were restored, but due to internal wars, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I took control of the territory. The capital from Rome was moved to Ravenna.
History of the Middle Ages in Italy
Religious power in any country is strengthened in times of crisis. This is due to the fact that the people do not see any other support other than religion. The same situation prevailed in become Catholic Italy after the collapse of the Roman Empire. In the X century, it was time for the sacred history of Italy. The unlimited power and luxury of the pope did not like many monarchs, because of which conflicts constantly arose between the clergy and secular power.
After the decline of the Roman Empire, a redistribution of land arose, which led to a natural exchange. Dark times came in Europe: majestic cities fell into decay, more or less strong buildings turned into monasteries, clergymen imposed huge taxes on the population. In the basin of the Ravenna and Tiber rivers, the Papal Region was formed. And the dark period of the history of medieval Italy, the time of the Inquisition and numerous wars, began. The map of the country was constantly redrawn, fragmented Italy attracted more powerful European states.
Renaissance
After the Middle Ages, the next era in the history of Italy began - the Renaissance. Certain cities and regions began to strengthen and develop: Venice, Florence, Genoa. They formed a separate culture. The developed economy and a strong fleet of the Venetian and Genoese republics allowed them to establish colonies in the Mediterranean Sea, to grow rich and oppose the Ottoman Empire in the XV-XVI centuries.
The very concept of “rebirth,” or “renaissance,” appeared in the 16th century. This was a period of church reformation, which started Martin Luther. Europe began to awaken from the yoke of Catholicism, medicine, science and art breathed freely. Such names as Leonardo da Vinci, Giordone, Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo, Caravaggio, Donatello, Rafael Santi are inscribed in golden letters in the history of Italian culture. The Renaissance art is characterized by the spirit of the triumph of life, dynamic lines, real emotions, an abundance of colors, natural proportions. In the Middle Ages, such images were strictly prohibited by the church. Art could now depict secular motives, legends, myths, still lifes appeared, and portraiture changed.
But at the same time, most of the communes (the city and the territory adjacent to it) fell under the power of dictators, who there became hereditary rulers. For example, in Milan - Visconti (XIII century), for many centuries the Medici ruled in Florence. The history of Italian cities was typical of that time: large villages absorbed small ones and were constantly expanding. Frequent wars that took place between city-states ended up in foreign intervention.
So, from the 15th to the 19th centuries, the period of foreign invasions continued in the history of Italy:
- 1495 - Charles VIII, the French king, invaded Italy.
- 1550 - Charles V, king of the Habsburg dynasty.
- After the abdication of Charles V from the throne, Italy became part of the succession of Philip (son).
- After the war of 1701-1714, power in Italy began to belong to the Austrian kings.
Italy no longer played a significant role in the political and economic life of Europe.
The era of Napoleon
From 1794, Napoleon Bonaparte's troops entered Italy, and until 1814, the Apennine peninsula was dominated by the French. At this time, several republics declared independence. The period of Napoleon’s reign convinced many Italians of the need to unite the country, in this process they saw the possibility of getting rid of foreign occupiers.
The idea of land unification
In 1815, Italy consisted of the Kingdom of Sardinia (Sardinia, Genoa, Savoy, Piedmont), the Kingdom of two Sicilies (Naples and Sicily), Papal States, Tuscany. The northern regions (Venice and Lombardy) were ruled by the Austrians. The repressive and dictatorial rule of the Austrian imperial prince Clemens von Metternich intensified popular discontent and provoked the emergence of anti-Austrian associations.
The most famous popular movement was led by the revolutionary and patriot Giuseppe Mazzini. The series of uprisings that were organized formed the basis for the revolution in Italy. So, the king of Sardinia, Karl Albert, declared war on Austria. In many Italian republics, a constitution was introduced. However, the war and uprisings organized in Rome, Tuscany and Venice were suppressed by the Austrian state. Karl Albert had to abdicate.
In 1859, the war of the Sardinian kingdom and France against Austria began. Lombardy was liberated, and by 1860 all of Italy (except Venice). Garibaldi, a national hero and leader of the partisan movement, participated in the war. In the spring of 1860, an uprising broke out in Sicily. Upon learning of the movement in the south, Garibaldi began to form a detachment of volunteers to help the peasants of Sicily.
Thousand red shirts
Garibaldi gathered a small army, only a thousand people, their distinguishing sign was the red shirts they wore. He and his troops landed in western Sicily and was greeted by the peasants as a liberator from Neapolitan tyranny. A few days later, about 4 thousand people joined his detachment. In bloody battles, the rebel squad was able to defeat the royal troops. In fact, the history of the unification of Italy was completed by the fall of 1860. The Kingdom of Italy was announced in 1861, but Rome and Venice were not included. So the Italians came up with their own state.
The crisis
After the unification of the lands, the new nation faced serious problems that influenced the course of history of the state of Italy. Huge debts, lack of industry, scarce natural resources, poverty, plus a high level of illiteracy have had a severe impact on Italians. Emigration to South America and the USA has increased. Only a few citizens had the right to vote. The pope refused to recognize the Italian state. Anarchy and banditry flourished in rural areas, leading to brutal government crackdown on peasants. The differences between the poor and the poor south and the rich, wealthy north have increased. The country was in crisis.
World War I
After the outbreak of war, Italy remained neutral for a year, but in 1915 joined Germany and Austria. The main goal she pursued was to obtain land. But she was not ready for war and suffered serious losses. In addition, at the Paris Peace Conference, Italy received only Trieste and Trentino, the scanty part of the territories on which it was counting. This caused a powerful wave of indignation and popular discontent against the government.
Period of fascism
In the history of the country of Italy , not a good period began. The state was plunged into a deep political and social crisis. Peasants, veterans, the unemployed demanded change, in the parliamentary elections of 1919, the socialist and new Catholic parties won. At the same time, radical nationalists advocated the expansion of territories, they organized mass strikes, threatened to start a revolutionary movement.
In the same year, Benito Mussolini founded a new movement - fascism, which received widespread support among the population, members of the movement called themselves "black shirts." In 1922 they came to Rome, and the king, frightened by the revolution, appointed Mussolini as prime minister. After 4 years, the fascist leader became a dictator, outlawing all parties and political movements, destroying all civil liberties, establishing a totalitarian regime in the state. But the emergence of order in the country made Mussolini very popular among the people.
Foreign policy based on the expansion of territories brought Italy closer to a new war. In 1935, the country's army invades Ethiopia and triumphs there. In 1936, Hitler and Mussolini concluded the Rome-Berlin Agreement, in 1939 Italy captured Albania. In the same year, Italy and Germany enter into a military alliance, which in history was called the Steel Pact. In June 1940, Italy entered into World War II on the side of its ally, Germany.
But the country was not ready for this war either. In addition, large-scale partisan anti-fascist movements began inside Italy. In 1943, Sicily was liberated from fascism. Mussolini fled to the north of the country, where he established a puppet government. But the efforts of the Italian resistance movement were successful, and in 1945 Mussolini was captured and executed.
Post war history
Since 1945, a new history of the development of Italy began. She began to recover gradually from the horrors of fascism and war. In 1946, the monarchy was abolished in the elections and the Italian Republic was proclaimed, a year later the constitution was adopted. The most significant parties in the country were socialists, Christian democrats and communists. In 1949, the country joined NATO, and ten years later - into the EEC. But in the late 70s in Italy high unemployment and inflation flourished, which caused massive strikes and violence by extremist groups (red brigades).
By the mid-1980s, the economic situation was improving. In 1992, the country became a member of the European Union. Italy is currently an active participant in all the political and economic processes that take place in Europe and the world.
Instead of a conclusion
The history and culture of Italy has several thousand years, therefore, the people and their traditions have had a huge impact on the culture of all of Europe. Thanks to this country, the world received a huge number of brilliant artists, writers, philosophers, scientists:
- Art - Michelangelo Buonarroti, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Rafael Santi, Piero della Francesca, Giotto, Botticelli, Paolo Uccello.
- Architecture - Andrea Palladio, Donato Bramante.
- Literature - Umberto Eco, Dante Alighieri, Josue Carducci, Carlo Collodi, Francesco Petrarch, Giovanni Boccaccio.
- Classical music - Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, Gioacchino Rossini, Antonio Vivaldi, Alessandro Scarlatti.
- Science - Gerolamo Cardano, Paolo Toscanelli, Leonardo of Pisa.
- Philosophy - Bonaventure, Francis of Assisi, Peter Lombard, Anselm of Canterbury, Boethius.
- Mariners and travelers - Marco Polo, Amerigo Vespucci, Christopher Columbus.