Ancient Rome
From a city on seven hills, Rome grew into an empire that ruled the Mediterranean for centuries, spreading law, language, roads and architecture across Europe and beyond.
Maritime republics and the Renaissance
After Rome fell, powerful city-states such as Venice, Genoa, Florence and Milan flourished on trade and banking. In the 14th–16th centuries Italy became the cradle of the Renaissance, the rebirth of art and science led by Leonardo, Michelangelo and Raphael.
Unification and the Republic
For centuries Italy was a patchwork of kingdoms and duchies. The Risorgimento unified the country in 1861, and after the Second World War Italy became a republic and a founding member of the European Union.