Chapter 13.3 ~ Italy Ancient Rome Roman Empire began in the 700’s BC as a tiny village At its height, the Roman Empire stretched from Britain to the Persian Gulf; it included most of Europe and parts of North Africa and SW Asia Ancient Rome influenced Art Architecture Literature Laws and political ideas which have influenced the governments and legal systems of many countries Christianity-a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth

The Renaissance Roman Empire collapsed in 400’s AD weak leadership outside invasions No central government: Italian cities formed individual states Cities became major trade centers Merchants traveled to far-off Asia to bring goods back to Europe Merchants became rich off this trade Merchants used money to hire artists and architects Led to The Renaissance -- a period between 1350 through the 1500’s of great creativity and advancements in art, architecture, literature

Unified Italy Mid 1800’s: Italy was still divided into individual states 1800’s: Strong patriotic feelings, or nationalism, resulted in unification in ’s: Italy was a dictatorship under Benito Mussolini, who joined with Hitler in World War II. They lost the war in After WWII, Italy became a democracy with a Parliament and a prime minister Italy has a strong economy

Italian culture is shaped by The Roman Catholic Church Catholicism: largest branch of Christianity The spiritual head is the pope who lives in Vatican City, an independent state located within the city of Rome Rome is home to hundreds of Catholic churches Religious holidays and festivals are major events Local traditions Italian food: olives, tomatoes, rice, pasta The arts, especially contemporary art forms: painters, sculptors, authors, composers, fashion designers, filmmakers Regional geography Mountains in the north and along the entire length of Italy Tiber and Po Rivers Peninsula: surrounded by water on 3 sides

Italy today Southern Italy is the poorer half because it has less industry. It depends on Agriculture (in places like Sicily) Tourism of beaches (like Capri or the Amalfi Coast) and ancient ruins (like Pompeii) Italian government offered incentives for industries to build factories in cities (like Naples). Northern Italy has a strong economy. It has Fertile farmlands in the Po River valley Major trade centers in Turin, Genoa, and Milan Goods easily shipped to Europe through the Alps via railroads, highways, and tunnels Popular tourist destinations include Florence: center of Italian art and culture since The Renaissance Pisa and its leaning tower Venice and its canals that serve as roads Rome, the capital, has ties to northern and southern Italy.