Early Settlers in Italy

The earliest important settlers in Italy were Etruscans. The Etruscans built settlements in the northern area of Italy before the sixth century B.C. Rome, known as The Empire, was determined to extend its influence around the world, and thus made the Mediterranean advertisement, using the Mediterranean Sea for trade of food, wood, tin, cotton and silver with other great nations.

A Spiral Downward

Pressures from without and discord from within led to the destruction of the empire by the fifth century. The Germans assumed power of Italy, representing the Eastern Emperor in Constantinople. They tried to keep the Roman lifestyle alive, however. After a couple of changes in power, Italy became broken up into several states by the late sixth century.

Over the next millennium, Italy became a complex land with the Holy Roman Empire and the Papacy taking control in the north and several different groups of people taking over in the south, such as Muslims, Normans, Bourbons and others.

Medieval Period in Italy

Charlemagne took control of northern Italy during the eighth century. Throughout the remainder of the Medieval period, his successors tried to recreate imperial power as Rome had with no success.

Florence, Milan, Genoa and Venice became independent cities during the 11th century. Meanwhile in the South, Muslims took control of Sicily during the ninth century, and then Normans took over in 1059, who controlled most of the south.

During the 12th century, Italy became a great center of culture for Europe while under the rule of Roger II. During the 15th century, the popes had tremendous influence over the diplomacy of Italy, and this period began to bloom in art and culture, thus causing the Italian Renaissance. Writers such as Aristio, Guicciardini and Machiavelli came to surface, and popes supported artists such as Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael.

From the 16th century to the 18th century, the Spanish began to influence Italy more than the French with Milan, Sicily and Naples being dominated by the Hapsburgs. Smaller states in Italy changed hands frequently, but the large states kept their independence.

Following the Enlightenment of the 18th century, Hapsburg rule was opposed. In 1861, Victor Emmanuel II was crowned as the first King of Italy, and Florence became the capital. Venice and Rome were not annexed completely until ten years later. Italy was declared a republic in 1946, with the Christian Democrat Party (DC) being the dominant party over the years.

Political and Economical Status of Italy Today

Italy today elects a President for a seven-year term. A Prime Minister is appointed by the President, who is usually the leader of the dominating party. Since 1945, Italy has grown rapidly in engineering and manufacturing. Agriculturally, wheat, tomatoes, sugar beet, grapes and maze are key crops in Italy today. Italy is a leading wine producer in the world. Italy also conducts trade with European Union partners as well as other countries such as Saudi Arabia, Libya, Canada, Russian Federation, United States and parts of Latin America.

Tourism in Italy is strong, and there are many hot tourist areas and cities that thrive on travellers each year. Resorts, museums, restaurants and attractions can be found in almost every city and along many beaches in Italy. As history has shown, Italy's influence in Europe has been amazing, and remains strong today.

You can find international cell phones and service for Italy from http://www.planetomni.com Free incoming calls from all countries night and day and calling the states is just US $.60 per minute! They rent and sell phones and satellite phones as well.

John Dulaney, born Dec. 11th, 1946, married with children. Living most years since 1969 outside the USA and working in motion pictures since 1965 I started QuantumStar.com with my wife, Jojo, in March of 1994 in San Francisco, Ca. I've lived in or been to approximately 36 countries and have lived under Democracies, Socialism, Communism, dictatorships, kingdoms and others. There is nothing like home. I participated at Channel Four in Manila, Philippines during the "People Power Revolution" and stood, with my wife's brother, along with half a million others against the threat of tank attack. I have witnessed the ruinous effects of Socialism /Communism /Dictatorship in dozens of countries and today enjoy the remains of our freedoms and protections of the Constitution in the USA here in California. Working in front of and behind the camera films around the world we removed to the suburbs and a quiet life, for a few years. We still have property in Umbria, Italy, some is for sale. After all is said and done I count my children, wife Jojo and my friends as my only real treasure.