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The show, released in weekly 15/20 minute episodes, covers the history of the Italian peninsula from the fall of the Western Roman Empire in 476, through the unification of Italy in 1861 to the present day.

Mike Corradi


    • Jul 16, 2024 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 20m AVG DURATION
    • 344 EPISODES

    4.8 from 248 ratings Listeners of A History of Italy » Podcast that love the show mention: empire, mike, trip, perfectly, delightful, mine, modern, well researched, excellent podcast, subject, humor, sense, host, informative, engaging, hilarious, interesting, highly recommend, quality, long.


    Ivy Insights

    The A History of Italy - Podcast is an absolute gem for history enthusiasts. Hosted by Mike, this podcast takes a unique and entertaining approach to retelling the history of Italy. With a touch of Monty Python-style humor, Mike manages to make even the most complex historical events accessible and enjoyable. The skits performed by Mike and his family at the end of each episode add an extra layer of entertainment value to the podcast.

    One of the best aspects of this podcast is its ability to strike a perfect balance between informative storytelling and engaging content. Mike's storytelling skills are outstanding, as he presents well-researched historical facts in a captivating manner. The pacing is spot-on, keeping listeners hooked from start to finish. Additionally, the host's quirky sense of humor adds an element of fun that brings history to life.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is its length. While some may find fault with the episodes being less than half an hour long, it actually works in favor of making the content more digestible. The bite-sized episodes ensure that listeners can easily absorb the information without feeling overwhelmed or losing interest.

    In conclusion, The A History of Italy - Podcast is a must-listen for anyone interested in Italian history or simply looking for an entertaining and educational podcast experience. From the well-informed host to the engaging storytelling style and humorous skits, every aspect of this podcast is done perfectly. Whether you binge-listen or savor each episode, you'll come away with a deeper appreciation for Italian history and a desire for more.



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    Latest episodes from A History of Italy » Podcast

    The Tigress in her Den - Caterina Sforza part II

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 16, 2024 19:36


    After settling in to their new signoria, Caterina Sforza and her husband Girolamo Riario have to deal with continuous plots, the War of Ferrara and the death of uncle pope Sixtus IV. After that Caterina will really show what she's made of by taking and holding Castel Sant Angelo, her sword at her side, while seven months pregnant.In the end after her husband's assassination, she will stand alone to face the conspirators in one of Italian Renaissance history's most famous legendary scenes.

    171 - The Tigress rising: Caterina Sforza part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 2, 2024 20:37


    We look at the early years of the woman who would come to be known as "The Tigress of Forlì", Caterina Sforza starting with her youth at the court of her father, duke of Milan Galeazzo Maria.We then move on to the traumatic start to her marriage to Girolamo Riario, nephew of pope Sixtus IV, as he starts his ambitious rise to power, that will eventually lead him to his doom.

    rising forl tigress caterina sforza
    170 - The Gonzaga of Mantua Mantua

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 18, 2024 21:03


    Having met Francesco II Gonzaga, at the battle of Fornovo, we take some time to go back and have a look at the beautiful city of Mantua from its legendary origins, surrounded by lakes created by the tears of a prophetess, through the period of our heroine, Matilda of Tuscany, countess of Canossa, to see the arrival and rise of the Corradi of Gonzaga. They would take over control of the city of Mantua and set up a county, and then a Marquisate that would put them in third place as the longest lasting dynasty in Italy On the way, they will have to battle with the greedy Visconti of Milan, and have arguments with famous painter Andrea Mantegna who refused to make the ugly Gonzaga good looking and had issues with apples.We will also answer the question of what happened to King Charles the eighth of Franc's porn collection.

    Special: Republic Day 2024

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 17:55


    To celebrate 2nd June, Republic Day as well as the release of the related film "C'è ancora domani" (There's still tomorrow) by director Paola Cortellesi, we are brushing up our episode on the Historical events that lead up to the referendum od 1946 which abolished the Italian monarchy, sending the Savoy family into exile.All of this against the background of post war Italy which was on the brink of civil war.

    169 - The Italian Wars 6 - round 1 aftermath, the north

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2024 16:22


    After leaving the Papal States with Cesare Borgia waiting for us, we head into the Republic of Florence to look at the struggle with the other Italian powers over Pisa and also stop to talk a little about the man who named America, the Florentine Amerigo Vespucci.After that it's over to the Duchy of Milan where duchess Beatrice d'Este dies in 1497 and the threat of French invasion becomes very real when Luis XII takes the throne.The last stop takes us to Venice and yet another clash with Ottoman Turks at the battle of Zonchio, a.k.a. the first battle of Lepanto.Thanks once again to our partner for the episode: Exlore Worldwide

    168 - The Italian war 5 - round 1 aftermath - the south and centre

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2024 16:14


    After seeing French King Charles VIII out of the Italian peninsula, we take a quick tour around to see what the situation is at the end of the 15th century and make sure everyone is on the same page. We look at Sardinia, Sicily, the Kingdom of Naples and the Papal States under the Borgias, but also take time to talk about syphilis and some naughty nighttime activities.Visit our partner for great travel ideas: Exlore Worldwide

    167 - The Italian Wars 4 - Charles has left the building

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2024 19:12


    Charles VIII of France is on his way out as king Ferrandino of Naples, along with Gonzalo de Cordoba, are gradually taking back the kingdom.Meanwhile Charles is headed off by the Holy League of Venice at the town of Fornovo in the Apennines of Parma. In the ensuing battle, he manages to get through, but not without losing all the supplies and spoils of his campaign. The league commander Francisco Gonzaga, comes out of the affair looking pretty good.After he finally leaves and Luis of Orleans leaves Novara to the besieging Sforza, an uneasy peace fans over Italy.

    166 - The Italian Wars 3 - finally Naples… for a bit (1495)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2024 22:39


    Charles VIII of France finally managed to get to Naples, but doesn't hang around long, the players on the Italian scene feel he has worn out his welcome and Venice, Milan, the pope, Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian and Ferdinand II of Spain band together in the Holy league to threaten France. Things kick off in the south with the new king of Naples Ferrandino ready to fight back supported by the Spanish and in the north the Milanese and Venetians lay siege to the French in Novara.Visit our partner's website at Exlore Worldwide

    Special - The Gulf of poets: Byron, Keats and Shelly in Italy

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 26, 2024 18:59


    A chance visit to the beautiful Ligurian town of Porto Venere, staying in a 900 year-old tower, Torre Capitolare (https://www.capitolare.com/) gave us the opportunity to meet not only with medieval history, the Republic of Genoa and Pisa, the Castle of the Doria, but also with the Romantic ports: Byron, Keats, Percy Shelly and the great Mary Shelly, author of the novel "Frankenstein".Thanks to our partner, Explore Worldwide (Exlore Worldwide) we have the opportunity to share with you the unforgettable trip and follow in the footsteps of the literary greats, from their memorable story-telling stormy night on the shores of Lake Geneva, to Tuscany, Liguria, Ravenna, Venice and Rome.Love, death passion, lots of animals and lots of sex... you'll find it all in this special episode.

    165 - The Borgias are the bosses (1492 - 1497)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 19, 2024 18:39


    After his election as pope Alecander VI Rodrigo Borgia gets straight down to business, sorting out the lawlessness in Rome, tinkering with the delicate national balance with the Duchy of Milan, the Republics of Florence and Venice as well as the kingdom of Naples. He then has to also deal with the descent of French King Charles VIII, but most of all, he wants to sort out his children, Cesare, Giovanni, Lucrezia and Goffredo. When the pope decides to pin all hopes for a future Borgia dynasty on Giovanni, Cesare is not at all pleased and makes some plans of his own, which may have included his brother's body washing up the banks of the Tiber.Our partner for this episode is Explore Worldwide, check out their website:Exlore Worldwide

    Special - Lucrezia Borgia

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 22:53


    To celebrate the "A History of Italy" podcast joining the "Sentire" media network (sentire.media), we take a look at one of the most maligned women in history, Lucrezia Borgia. By the 20th century, her reputation was turned around a bit and from the poisoning murder and sexual predator, she became the innocent victim of the machiavellian scheming of her father, Rodrigo Borgia, pope Alexander VI and her brother Cesare Borgia, the most famous case study for Machiavelli's "The Prince".Although this may have been true for Lucrezia the young girl, the strong and intelligent young woman who became the beloved duchess of Ferrara was no push over.

    Special - Caterina of Siena

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 18:51


    To celebrate A History of Italy of joining the Sentire podcast network (sentire.media) we go back to visit with a peculiar young girl who went from early, rather graphic and violent religious visions to become one of the most influential people of her time, able to grasp the attention of rulers and popes, treating them, if necessary, like children. We visit with Caterina da Siena, St Catherine, patron saint of Italy along with St Francis of Assisi.

    Special - Matilde di Canossa

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2024 21:12


    To celebrate the A History of Italy podcast becoming a member of the Sentire Media podcast network we go back and visit with one of our personal favourites, Matilda of Canossa Margarine of Tuscany, a woman of power in a time, the late 11th century when women were not supposed to wield power. She ruled over lands that stretched from the confines of Rome to the confines of Italy herself, keeping pace with popes and emperors and doing her duty to the very end.

    Update, Sanremo Italian song festival and Italian identity

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2024 9:44


    A quick hello to let you know I haven't dissapeared and to tease some upcoiming news before considering the recent Sanremo Italian song festival and what it means to be Italian.

    164 - The rise of the Borgias

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2024 15:22


    After seeing Charles VIII though Rome with an uncertain deal with pope Alexander VI, Rodrigo Borgia, we go back to see how the Borgias came to Italy from Spain with Alphonse of Aragon, rose to the papacy with Callixtus III who in turn raised his nephew Rodrigo. He would eventually, thanks to one of his many lovers, have three children before becoming pope, Cesare, Giovanni and Lucrezia, who would all go on to their own adventures.

    6th Anniversary episode - Best of the sketches

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 3, 2024 44:03


    To celebrate our 6th anniversary on 3rd January, we look back on some of the most memorable sketches that have accompanied the regular episodes. From the first appearance of the Great Turnip, through the fish, frog, falcon fly king, strange trade corporations in Florence, agreeing on baguette battles to a conversation with the supreme being himself. Follow us on a rather silly journey down memory lane.

    6th anniversary annoucement

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2023 2:13


    For our 6th anniversary on 3rd January 2024 we are going to aunch a special "Best of the sketches" episode, so we are asking you to get in touch to let us know what your favorite skethges have been over the years and perhaps we'll include your choice in the show!Get in touch!

    Interview on the Aldo Moro Affair with Simon Gaul, Author of "White Suicide"

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2023 41:45


    We spoke to Travel book author, adventurer and novelist Simon Gaul about his new book "White Suicide" which covers a dark period of Italian history in which Christian Democrat Party leader Aldo Moro was kidnapped and assassinated just as he was about to sign a historical deal which would have allowed the Italian communist party a seat at the table of Italian government.The kidnapping and murder were claimed by the far left Red Brigades, but strong suspicions remain to this day about the involvement of members of the infamous P2 Masonic lodge, members of the Italian political establishment and even the CIA.In his novel on the affair, Simon brings together highly in-depth research with an intelligent fictional reconstruction of aspects we do not know to this day... and may never know.

    163 – The rise and Fall of Gerolamo Savonarola

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 18, 2023


    We follow the life of mystic, prophet and monk, Gerolamo Savonarola, who came to have a great moral influence over Florence, particularly after the expulsion of the Medici. His increasing fiery denunciation of the immorality of the Florentines and then the church and pope Alexander VI made him more and more enemies, ready to pounce on him the […]

    163 - The rise and Fall of Gerolamo Savonarola

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2023 23:14


    We follow the life of mystic, prophet and monk, Gerolamo Savonarola, who came to have a great moral influence over Florence, particularly after the expulsion of the Medici. His increasing fiery denunciation of the immorality of the Florentines and then the church and pope Alexander VI made him more and more enemies, ready to pounce on him the moment his popularity waned.

    162 - The Italian wars 2- opening hostilities and the Medici get kicked out

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 28, 2023 22:06


    Charles VIII of France starts to head into Italy, beginning with the lands of Savoy where a 2-year-old duke leaves things to his mum to deal with the expensive guest who also asks her for a loan.Meanwhile, the Neapolitans try to go on the offensive by attacking locations along the Tuscan and Ligurian coast to no avail.Charles then meets with Ludovico il Moro, then the real duke of Milan Gian Galeazzo Sforza, who then dies a week after the meeting, saying goodbye to his dogs and horses at his deathbed.Then it is to Florence, where the son of Lorenzo the Magnificent, Piero, after sitting on the fence for a while, rolls over and gives Charles more than necessary and hets kicked out of Florence for it.Charles, however, fares no better with the new Florentine government and after a confusing argument about horns and bells, he makes his way to Rome with reduced results from the negotiation.

    161 - The Italian wars 1: setting up and setting off

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2023 15:33


    We look at the background to the expedition by King Charles VIII of France into Italy to claim the throne of Naples. This takes us to explore the situation i Milan, with Duke Gian Galeazzo Sforza and his uncle Ludovico il Moro, then to Naples, where king Alphonse II has just succeeded his father Ferrante. We see the diplomatic and military preparation that once again sees the Italian powers, Milan, Venice, Florence, the Papal States and Naples have to decide which side to line up on, with the novelty of the most powerful army in Europe heading into the peninsula.This is the start of the Italian Wars, the conflict that really took Europe into the Modern Age.

    Recap 07 - Episodes 139 to 160

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 26, 2023 27:16


    Before charging into the modern age, we take our usual look back on past episodes for a recap. In this case we look at the middle to late 15th century as the "big five" Naples, Milan, Venice, Florence and the Papal States struggle for dominance in a complicated balance, without forgetting interesting minor players, such as Savoy, Urbino and Trentino.

    Special: 9th October 1963 - Vajont, a man-made natural disaster

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 9, 2023 33:00


    We go back to a quiet mountain valley of north-eastern Italy where the peace was forever broken by one of the country's most ambitious architerctural and engineering projects that ended in one of the worst disasters in the history of Italy in the 20th century.This is the story of how progress and profit was put before thousands of human lives, this is the story of Vajont, a story that must be remenered,

    Quick annoucement - demolition work in progress

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2023 0:40


    Just a few seconds to let you knwo that we are almost ready to get back on track, but we need for the surroundings to go back so some minimal for of tranquility

    160 - Fedrico Da Montefeltro and bits getting cut off

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2023 23:35


    We linger yet another episode in the Middle Ages to take a look at the Duchy of Urbino and in particular the "condottiero" Federico da Montefeltro, he of th eodd shped nose. There is also a murder mystery surrounding the death of his predessssor and some macbre pasrts with intimate bit being detatched.

    Summer announcement - listen even if you haven't cought up

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2023 5:48


    Just a quick annoucement to update on goings on in the AHoI family life as well as plans for the near future

    159 - Life, death and sex in the middle ages

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2023 35:21


    We take a look at what life was like in the middle ages for the average Giuseppe and Lucrezia, from birth to death, sickness, medicine, work, free time, travel and sex and all the naughtiness connected to it.

    158 - The Este of Ferrara

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2023 25:06


    We take a look at a brief summary of one of the oldest dynasties in Europe, the House of Este who are the ancestors also of the House of Windsor rulers of the United Kingdom. In particular we look at the Italian branch, from their Carolingian roots to the year 1505 when Ercole D'Este was succeeded by his son Alfonso and daughter in law, Lucrezia Borgia.In between we'll see: a marquis acting like a brigand; nasty rebellions that end in cannibalism a non stop array of naughtiness in the bedroom, with one member of the house of Este cooking in at 800 lifetime lovers; a romantic love triangle than ends in a tragic beheading and much more

    Interview: Artemisia Gentileschi with Lori from "Her Half of History"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2023 28:47


    We were lucky enough for Lori from the Her Half of History podcast to come and talk about the 17th century female Roman artist Artemisia Gentileschi.She overcame great trauma and injustice at a young age to become one of the most important and successful painters of her time and the centuries that followed.

    25th April - Liberation

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2023 19:16


    On the 78th anniversary of Italy's liberation from Nazism and Fascism, we publish a repeat from 2020 on family memories and the importance of this day.

    157 - Venice out of the middle ages and into uncertainty (1454 - 1492)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2023 19:27


    After the peace of Lodi, the relative stability on the peninsula allows Venice to concentrate on the Ottomans again and the inevitable first war breaks out in 1463.Before that, we see one of the few doge's to actually be deposed, Francesco Foscari a record breaking doge for various reasons and sexy actor in "The Medici" Tv series.Then, when Venice reaches a rather humiliating peace with the Turks, it seems like a perfect time to them to start the war of Ferrara from 1480 to the peace of Bagnolo in 1484.Then it's time to make their way out of the Middle Ages with dark clouds looming on the horizon.

    156 - Venice tangles with the Turks and messes with Milan (1416 - 1454)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2023 18:14


    Venice, after trying to avoid it, goes to war with the Turks and at the Battle of Gallipoli a spectacular victory is won... but by who?Then, we see how Venice used an ex ,mercenary captain of Milan against his old employers, Carmagnola, but then, when the Serenissima started to suspect him, he met an unfortunate end.Finally we relive one of the most impressive feats of naval engineering of the age, before we get to the start of a relatively peaceful period with the peace of Lodi.

    155 - Venice has trouble with the neighbours (1400 - 1416)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2023 14:44


    We come round to Venice to see how they were doing at the start of the 15th century, dealing with neighbours such as the duchy of Milan under Gian Galeazzo Visconti, Padua under the Da Carrara and the formidable Sigismund king of Hungary and his general Pippo Spano. Before that we take some time to have a look at the political structure of the ruling oligarchy, from the doge whose wive has an amusing name down, and take a look at the city... and its pigs

    154 Trentino Alto Adige (up to 1509)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 28, 2023 16:52


    Since we have never been there in the podcast, we take some time to go back and give a very general overview of the northern Italian region of Trentino Alto Adige, perched up north between the duchy of Milan and the Republic of Venice with reference to the time we are in. We go through Romans, Goths, Byzantines, Lombards, Franks to get to the bishop-counts that characterise this area, such as George of Lichtenstein or Federico Vanga. We then see how Venice started to encroach and hear about a rather spectacular feat of overland fleet travel engineering.

    153 - The assassination of Galeazzo Maria and the moore takes control (1468 - 1494)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 14, 2023 24:45


    Duke of Milan Galeazzo Maria Sforza continues with his expensive naughty ways until he is assassinated in 1476. His son Gian Galeazzo becomes Duke under the regency of his mother, Bona of Savoy, until his uncle Ludovico, known as "il Moro" the moore takes over as Italy heads towards the aptly named, Italian Wars. Meanwhile a certain Leonardo da Vinci worked on a portrait of Ludovico Sforza's ljdyfriend Cecilia Gallerani is turned into "The lady with the ermine".

    152 - Duke Francesco Sforza and his sex-crazed son (1450 - 1568)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 31, 2023 17:52


    hortly after becoming duke, Francesco Sforza has to deal with a war against Venice, but then the peace of Lodi and the Italic league allow him some time to consolidate his power and start building projects in Milan, as well as chase after women, ending his life with a total of 35 children, only 8 of which were legitimate.His son Galeazzo Maria takes over and the only tings he seems good at are spending money and satisfying his desires.

    151 - Milan from Visconti to Sforza (1447 - 1450)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2023 20:14


    After the death of Duke Filippo Maria Visconti of Milan, a succession crisis has everyone in on the game and Venice gobbling up cities. In the end, will Bianca Maria Visconti and her husband, Francesco Sforza, manage to stake her claim?Also some naughtiness in the bedroom going on here.

    5th anniversary

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 10, 2023 24:45


    On 3rd January we celebrated the 5th anniversary of the "A History of Italy" podcast.In this special episode we will talk about:How the podcast is doing and where it's goingThe Italian 2022 elections and Meloni governmentCorrespondence from listenersA short version of my life storyAnd we end with the acclaimed sketch of San Marino

    2023 announcement and send in questions and comments

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 1, 2023 3:18


    Just a quick announcement on a release delay and to invite you to send in questions and comments or existential angst for the 5th anniversary episode coming out on 10th January 2023

    150 - Decline of the Savoy and the Holy Shroud of Turin (1451 - 1490)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 20, 2022 19:07


    We go back to the north west to visit with Piedmont and the house of Savoy to take them out of the 15th century as they go through a period of decline with the rising power of France threatening their independence. It is in this period, in 1553, that the Savoy acquire the Holy Shroud, which was supposed to have been the burial cloth of Jesus Christ himself... or was it just one of histories most elaborate middle aged hoaxes?

    149 The Genoa of Columbus (1442 - 1447)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 13, 2022 17:17


    We close out the 15th century for Genoa with things not looking too great thanks to the advancing Ottomans in the Eastern Mediterranean and in parallel follow the life of one of Genoa's most famous sons, Christopher Columbus in his early life and follow the adventures of his body after his death before reflecting on his legacy.

    148 - Peak and twighlight of the Magnificent (1478 - 1492)

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2022 17:09


    After the failed Pazzi conspiracy and its bloody vengeful aftermath, Lorenzo has to face war against pope Sixtus IV AND Naples AND Urbino. As if that wasn't enough also plague and more plots.Then, would you believe it, another war, the salt war of Ferrara and once all that is over, a good old teenage Cardinal is on the way

    147 - The conpiracy of the crazies (1476 - 1478)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2022 19:24


    Things heat up as the animosity between the Medici and pope Sixtus IV leads to one of the most infamous conspiracies in history: the Pazzi conspiracy, set up to kill Giuliano and Lorenzo De Medici and overthrow the Signoria, the government of Florence

    Interview with Philippa Gregory on Maria Beatrice D'Este

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2022 17:47


    We got the chance to talk to bestselling author, Philippa Gregory, about one of the characters of her new book, Dawnlands,Maria Beatrice D'Este, a real historical figure as well as a character, daughter of Duke Alfonso IV of Modena and Reggio Emilia and Queen of England, married to King James II.Philippa has written many historical novels whch include "The other Boleyn girl" and "The White Queen"

    Halloween special: Azzurrina, the ghost of Montebello

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2022 20:46


    We imagine the story behind the ghost of Montebello Castle, supposedly that of Gwendalina, nicknamed "Azzurrina", (little blue) due to her strange blueish hair. The little girl is said to have vanished without a trace in 1375, leaving many legends behind.

    F100: 04 The March on Rome

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 28, 2022 30:22


    One hundred years ago, a series of events between 24th and 31st October 1922 culminated in Fascist leader Benito Mussolini taking power in what is known as "The March on Rome". Did the Black shirts actually take Rome by force? Why did the government not put a stop to the events? Together we will take a look at the fateful days in which Fascism came to power.

    146 - Lorenzo vs Sixtus and America's beautiful cousin (1471 - 1476)

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 18, 2022 19:59


    The rivalry between Lorenzo de Medici and pope Sixtus IV, Francesco della Rovere starts to heat up as they clash over lands and resources, reaching very dangerous levels. Meanwhile the Medici brothers find time for another great tournament and Giuliano finds love with the most beautiful woman in Florence, the "living Venus" Simonetta Vespucci, whose name leads us into a digression on where America got its name.

    145 - Fleeting youth, Lorenzo de Medici's early years

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2022 16:27


    Before the responsibility of government is handed over to him at his father's death and before getting married the statesman, banker, lover of philosophy and poet Lorenzo De Medici takes a few last opportunities at carefree youth with a tournament and party that would never be forgot.

    144 - A sickly father, a magnificent mother amd balls (1464 - 1468)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 20, 2022 18:16


    Piero De Medici takes over the shadow government of Florence at the death of his father and with the help of his wife and son manages to hold the reigns, overcome a plot on his life and a war with a rather interesting character, Bartolomeo Colleoni

    143 Cosimus Medices Pater Patriae (1429 - 1464)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2022 19:30


    We finally get into the Medici in style with the man who is considered the founder of the family's great fortune and political dominance. We follow Cosimo de Medici as he slowly asserts his power over the Republic of Florence with careful internal and external political manoeuvring to form what some have called the "crypto-signoria" of the Medici, all the whole increasing theri vast wealth in the face of many perils.

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