A Short History of Italy (476-1900)

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Sedgwick, Henry Dwight, 1861-1957

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource : multiple file formats

Place of Publication:

Salt Lake City, UT : Project Gutenberg,

Summary:

"A Short History of Italy (476-1900)" by Henry Dwight Sedgwick is a historical account penned in the early 20th century. This work aims to provide an overview of Italy's history, particularly focusing on its evolution from the fall of the Roman Empire in the West through significant periods such as the Ostrogoths, Lombards, and the Renaissance. Sedgwick emphasizes key themes like the Papacy, the Renaissance, and the Risorgimento, presenting influential figures and moments that shaped Italy's distinctive landscape. At the start of the narrative, the author introduces the monumental event of 476 A.D., when Romulus Augustulus, the last Roman emperor of the West, was deposed by a Barbarian general, symbolizing the collapse of Roman authority in Italy. Sedgwick delves into the stark contrasts between the Roman Empire's rich civilization and the simpler, tribal society of the invading Barbarians. He illustrates societal fragmentation and the rise of the Church as a prominent force in a time of chaos, setting the stage for a complex interplay between different factions throughout Italy's history. This opening effectively lays the groundwork for exploring Italy's subsequent developments, foreshadowing the key transitions and conflicts to come. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

Credits:

Produced by Barbara Kosker, Carl Hudkins, Jonathan Niehof (media provider) and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net

Notes:

Reading ease score: 57.5 (10th to 12th grade). Somewhat difficult to read.

Release date is 2011-02-22