"The Italians Before Italy" Prof Kenneth R. Barlett (DVD) (24 Lectures / 30 Minutes Per Lecture / 4x DVD - The Great Courses)
This 24-lecture investigation traces the fragmented and competitive origins of the Italian peninsula long before its modern unification. Taught by Professor Kenneth R. Bartlett, the series explores how the rivalries between independent city-states like Venice, Florence, and Genoa forged a unique cultural mosaic defined by artistic supremacy and political ambition. Rather than a singular history, you will discover the "many Italy's" of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, examining the influence of the Crusades, the power of the Papacy, and the legacies of influential dynasties.