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The Italians before Italy: Conflict and Competition in the Mediterranean
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Narrated by:
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Kenneth R. Bartlett
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Written by:
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Kenneth R. Bartlett
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The Great Courses
About this listen
Take a riveting tour of the Italian peninsula, from the glittering canals of Venice to the lavish papal apartments and ancient ruins of Rome.
In these 24 lectures, Professor Bartlett traces the development of the Italian city-states of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, showing how the modern nation of Italy was forged out of the rivalries, allegiances, and traditions of a vibrant and diverse people.
This comprehensive portrait of Italian history opens an exciting new world-a grand mosaic of lustrous and storied cultures as distinctive as the people who helped build them. As you come to know these many "Italys," you'll see how the Italian states defined themselves against the others, competing for territory, trade, and artistic supremacy - and how the vestiges of these interactions are visible even today.
Among other things, you'll consider the rivalry between the Genoese and the Pisans, which stems from a nearly 800-year-old grudge; examine how the crusades influenced the development of Genoa, Pisa, and Venice; and explore Italy's troubled relationship with the Holy Roman Empire and the Catholic Church during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.
You'll also get a glimpse into the lives of the powerful and influential, including Pope Paul IV, who championed the Roman Inquisition, and Luigi Gonzaga, who cut out the hearts of his enemies and nailed them to the doors of their palaces as a warning to others who might challenge his power.
As you get to know the distinctive personalities and events that define the peninsula, you'll gain fresh insights into the Italy of today. Surprising, enriching, always engaging, this course offers a unique perspective on one of the most dynamic and creative cultures of the modern world.
PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying reference material will be available in your Library section along with the audio.
©2007 The Teaching Company, LLC (P)2007 The Great CoursesYou may also enjoy...
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What listeners say about The Italians before Italy: Conflict and Competition in the Mediterranean
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Andrew
- 2021-03-22
hard to keep track of chronology. I was expecting
I was expecting a chronological order of events, it was hard to keep track of it
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Overall
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- Public service
- 2022-12-24
Quality
Good content
Could use some edititng to smooth the mistakes/ double takes and otherwise
Also, stop the deep sigh/ exhale like you are sharing bad news. Feels inappropriate from a orator
Otherwise, excellent work; many enriched hours of my life
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- Roberta W
- 2023-01-21
Excellent lecture series!
I can’t recommend Kenneth Bartlett’s lectures enough! He does a great job of bringing ancient history to life. It is hard to know where to start with Italian history, so it was good to learn how the many city states came together.
One thing he does really well is explain the Italian pride in their home villages and what is produced there. Now I know to never tell an Italian that I like a food item from another region better… what an insult that would be! Magnifico!
If I can make a suggestion, also check out Professor Bartlett’s lecture series The Italian Renaissance. The two together filled out my knowledge of Italian history.
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- Kris
- 2023-01-25
Content is good. Delivery? Not so much.
Italian geopolitical history is fascinating in its content and vital to understanding a time and place that has had a monumental impact on the modern world. Yet Professor Bartlett sounds bored, often sighing and making vocal injections that don’t convey much enthusiasm for the topic.
This might not be very noticeable amongst visible cues in the video lecture series but when the voice is all you have to get your point across, vocal cues are all you have.
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