Guelphs and Ghibellines: A Short History of Mediaeval Italy from 1250-1409
Oscar Browning
Read by Pamela Nagami
The High Middle Ages in Italy, 1250-1409, were a time of incessant strife between rival city-states, some the Ghibelline allies of the Holy Roman Empire, others joining forces with the Guelph armies of the Papacy. Mercenary captains led hired bands of soldiers of fortune. These captains sometimes became great despots, ruling the very cities that had engaged them. Florence began her ascent. The terrible Visconti dominated Milan, and Genoa established a vast trading empire, only to suffer defeat and decline when her fleet was destroyed by Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic. (Summary by Pamela Nagami, M.D.)
(6 hr 43 min)
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wcraigcarter
Fascinating material. This history has the intrigue and drama as the game of thrones, but without the silly parts. Dr Nagami is a superb reader; very clear and well-paced and she switches between French, Italian, German, ans Spanish pronunciations with accuracy and dexterity.