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PODCAST

A History of Italy

Join history buff, Mike Corradi on a journey through time as he unfolds the rich tapestry of the Italian peninsula"s history. This chronological story starts with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and leads you through the most iconic events, influential figures, and cultural milestones that have shaped Italy into what we see today. It’s all serious stuff, but we do take time to stop and laugh at battles over a bucket, rude names, naughty priests and popes, rabbits winning sieges, doves

history

All Episodes

01:48

Call for contributions: episode 200 and 8th anniversary

A History of Italy ·

2025/11/01

Hello You! for our 220th and 8th anniversary episode I thought I would invite contributions from the most VIP I could think of... YOU!So please send in a sound file or, if you don't feel like it, written message with a contribution, consideration, question, something i didn't mention or talk about enough.Please send by 31st December at the very latest.

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17:42

196 - Giovanni of the Black Bands part 1: birth of a...

A History of Italy ·

2025/10/21

In this episode, we reunite with an old friend of the show —Caterina Sforza, the indomitable “Tigress of Forlì.” From her, we follow the turbulent and violent early life of her son,Giovanni de’ Medici, known asIl Gran Diavolo— the Great Devil — a man whose passions, battles, and excesses would shape the future of both theSforzaandMedicidynasties.We go through the tangled lineage and fiery temperament of one of Renaissance Italy’s most fascinating figures, tracing his path from rebellious youth to

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18:39

195 - Italian Wars 12 - The sack of Rome (again) and...

A History of Italy ·

2025/10/07

In this episode, we pick up with EmperorCharles Vconsolidating his power over Italy after theBattle of Pavia (1525), where the French kingFrancis Iwas captured. The uneasy Italian states, includingPope Clement VII (Giulio de’ Medici), soon realized they had traded one master for another and formed theLeague of Cognac (1526)— an anti-imperial alliance includingFrance, Venice, Florence, the Papal States, Milan, and under English protection,Henry VIII.The league’s formation was steeped in intrigue,

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16:58

194 - The Italian Wars 11 - Medici pope to Medici...

A History of Italy ·

2025/09/16

After three episodes exploring the life of Leonardo da Vinci, we return to the turbulent stage of the Italian Wars. In this episode, we pick up in the early 1520s, a period shaped by papal politics, dynastic rivalries, and the shifting fortunes of France and Spain.Highlights include:The succession of popes after Leo X: Hadrian VI and Clement VII, and their struggles with reform, neutrality, and survival.The tug-of-war between France and Spain over Milan and Naples, with Spain ultimately gaining the

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38:18

What has the printing press ever done for us? - Guest...

A History of Italy ·

2025/09/02

This is a guest episode by Dirk Hoffmann of the history of the German podcast, in which he tells us all about the impact of one of the most important inventions in human history, Gutenberg printing press.

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01:12

Summer update

A History of Italy ·

2025/08/16

Just to let you know I haven’t disappeared!

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20:43

193 - Leonardo Da Vinci part 3 - twilight and legacy

A History of Italy ·

2025/07/29

We explore the fascinating intersection between one of the world’s most famous relics and one of its most brilliant minds:Leonardo Da Vinciand theShroud of Turin. Was Da Vinci somehow connected to this mysterious cloth? Could he have had the knowledge, access, and motive?🕯️ What You’ll Hear:The scientific investigation into the Shroud of Turin by the STURP team in 1978 and why their results only deepened the mystery.The carbon dating shock: how the Shroud was traced back not to 1st century

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19:00

Leonardo Da Vinci part 2 - from Florence to Milan

A History of Italy ·

2025/07/09

Early Life & EducationBorn illegitimate, Leonardo spent his youth sketching and observing nature.After moving to Florence, he entered the prestigious workshop of Andrea Verrocchio, where he learned not only painting but also the chemistry behind pigments and the mechanics of sculpture and engineering.🎨 Artistic BreakthroughsBy 1472, Leonardo was a member of the painters’ guild and began producing original works.His first known portrait was of Ginevra de’ Benci, and his collaboration on

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18:29

191 - Leonardo part 1 - birth of genius

A History of Italy ·

2025/06/24

Starting from reasons to have a good cry, particularly concerning hair, we then head to Vinci, outside Florence in the mid 1400's to witness the birth and early childhood of Leonardo to see the start of some of the characteristics that will accompany him for the rest of his life. We hear about who gave and didn't give him affection and how his status as an illegitimate child was not all for the worst.

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18:59

The Lion's last roar and a new religion blooming...

A History of Italy ·

2025/05/27

In this episode, we dive into the dramatic papacy of Pope Leo X, exploring his efforts to secure Medici power, his architectural and social reforms in Rome, and his role in the early days of the Protestant Reformation. We track how his favoritism toward Florence shaped papal policy, the challenges he faced with Martin Luther, and the growing religious divide that would soon shake Europe to its core.We also spotlight Leo's political maneuvers in Italy, from annexing Urbino and Perugia to negotiating

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15:44

189 - A German priest complains and a new emperor

A History of Italy ·

2025/05/13

Of course! Here's the revised version of thesummary show noteswithkey words and phrases boldedfor emphasis:In this episode, we explore theturbulent political and religious landscapeofItaly and Europein thelate 1510s—a pivotal prelude to theProtestant Reformation.🔹Power Shifts in Europe1516:Ferdinand of Aragondies;Charles of HabsburginheritsSpain.PeacebetweenCharlesandFrancis I of FrancestabilizesItaly(Treaty of Noyon).Veniceregains its former territories after years of conflict but remainsbattered

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20:02

188 - The Italian Wars 10: Medici at home, Milan back...

A History of Italy ·

2025/04/28

In this episode, we pick up the story of the Medici family as they return to Florence, armed with the great news of Giovanni de' Medicibecoming Pope Leo X. We dive into:How the Medici family subtly regained power in Florencewithout taking formal positions, carefully balancing loyalty and governance.The undoing of Savonarola's reforms and the reinstatement of Machiavelli.Florence’s evolving political culture: from fierce Republican ideals to the tentative acceptance of centralized rule.The clumsy

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19:13

187 - The balls are back in town - the Medici return...

A History of Italy ·

2025/04/28

Among the many casualties of the battle of Garigliano was Piero de Medici, son of Lorenzo the Magnificent. Piero, previously exiled from Florence for his poor leadership during the invasion of Charles VIII in 1494, drowned while trying to escape the battle. His body was found and buried at Montecassino Abbey, under the protection of his brother, Cardinal Giovanni de Medici.Florence in TransitionAfter the fall of Girolamo Savonarola, Florence entered a period of unstable governance:Two major factions

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35:57

God's banker - the Roberto Calvi affair - interview...

A History of Italy ·

2025/03/25

After the release of the series "Secret Kingdom - God's banker" we talk with the podcast creator Nicolò Majnoni about the Roberto Calvi affair and talk about Italy in the early 80's, the Vatican, the Cold War, Freemasons and the Mafia

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28:20

Regional Italy episode 06 - Sicily

A History of Italy ·

2025/03/18

In this episode, we dive into a personal story that kicks off with a Christmas party invitation and an unexpected wardrobe choice — a kilt. From this quirky start, we delve into the historical significance of Sicily, a land that has shaped centuries of Mediterranean history.The episode takes us on a journey from the ancient Carthaginian and Greek settlements to the present day, with a special focus on Palermo, Catania, and Messina. We hear about the Normans, the Arabs, and the rise of the Roman

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14:55

Julius II changes his mind and some spanking (1509 -...

A History of Italy ·

2025/03/12

Venice is reeling from the defeat at Agnadello, but immediately starts the comeback egged on by doge Lorenzo Loredan. After some promising victories they suffer another defeat at the hands of the League of Cambrai at Polisella.When all seems once again lost, Pope Julius II changes sides, allying with Venice and seeking to expel the French from Italy, which he manages to do after forming the Holy League of 1512.

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28:10

Regional Italy episode 05 - Campania

A History of Italy ·

2025/03/04

From the Roman fast food joints in the marvel that is Pompei, to the buzzing historical streets of Naples and the witches of Benevento, we're going off, thanks to Explore Worldwide, to explore the southern Italian Region of Campania. What happened to the tree of the witches?What is the "Naples Splitter"?Where is the most iconic coast of Italy?Can you actually move without tripping over a UNESCO world heritage site?Which city had bad wind?How many people can you fit on a scooter?You'll find the

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15:24

185 - Clouds over Vernice - Julis II and Cambrai...

A History of Italy ·

2025/02/25

After following the adventures of Julius II we go and visit with Venice, who is having ups and downs, losing influence as the attentipn of the world turns to the Atlantic, losing colonies to the Turks and starting to make enemies in Europe, powerful enemies that will come together in the league of Cambrai, leading to the dramatic battle of Agnedello in 1509.Oh and we also have the mysterious death of would-be doge Filippo Tron: was he murdered, or just seriously overweight?

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27:51

Regional Italy 04 - Tuscany

A History of Italy ·

2025/02/18

We start from Siena, with the story of how I almost got beaten up and why there is an extra bit of Siena cathedral added on and incomplete. The it's up to Florence to visit with the Medici, Da Vinci, Botticelli and Simonetta Vespucci, his Venus. From the capital of the Renaissance we head to their arch enemy Pisa and their wonky tower and then Lucca, with its Holy Face and medieval walls. After a bit of wine tasting in Val D'Orcia with some Brunello di Montalcino and Montepulciano we head to the

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20:10

184 - Julius II: Warrior pope rising (1503 - 1508)

A History of Italy ·

2025/02/11

Giuliano della Rovere, after trying for more than a decade, finally manages to become pope Julius II in 1503. He gets to work breaking the last resistance of Cesare Borgia, then has to sort out his Papal States, gobbled up by Venice in the north with a whole series of local lords taking back power.In all of this, the pope calls in a special decorator to do some touch up work in the Sistine chapel, a certain Michelangelo Buonarroti.In the sketch we imagine the conversation between the two.

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