Transcript ITALY
ITALY Ancient Rome • Founded in the 700s BC • Formed empire that stretched from Britain to the Persian Gulf • Famous for great art, literature, and political ideas • Helped spread Christianity Renaissance • Lasted from about 1350 through the 1500s • Period of great creativity that began in Italy and spread through the rest of Europe • Saw the creation of some of the world’s greatest works of art and literature Unified Italy • Italy was not unified as a country until 1861. • In the 1920s Mussolini took power as a dictator. He led Italy into World War II. • After the war Italy became a democracy. Main Idea 2: Religion and local traditions have helped shape Italy’s culture. • Most people in Italy belong to the Roman Catholic Church. • In the past, the Catholic Church was the single most important influence in Italian culture. • The pope, the spiritual head of the Roman Catholic Church, lives in Vatican City, an independent state located within the city of Rome. • The importance of the Catholic Church in Italy can be seen in many ways: – Italian cities are filled with Catholic churches. Rome alone contains hundreds of churches from various periods of history. – Religious holidays and festivals are major events in Italy. Leonardo da Vinci Leonardo da Vinci (April 15, 1452 – May 2, 1519) was an Italian polymath, being a scientist, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, painter, sculptor, architect, botanist, musician and writer. Leonardo has often been described as the archetype of the renaissance man, a man whose unquenchable curiosity was equaled only by his powers of invention. He is widely considered to be one of the greatest painters of all time and perhaps the most diversely talented person ever to have lived. Italian Culture Food • Olives, tomatoes, rice, and pasta are common. • Recipes vary widely from region to region. • For example, in the south people often serve pasta with tomato sauces, while in the the north they serve creamier sauces. Art • Italy has been known as a center of the arts for centuries. • Italian artists set trends that are followed all over the world. • Italy has been home to some of the world’s greatest painters, sculptors, authors, composers, fashion designers, and filmmakers. Main Idea 3: Italy today has two distinct economic regions— northern Italy and southern Italy. Northern Italy • Strong economy • Italy’s most fertile farmland is in the Po Valley. • Major industrial centers: Milan, Turin, and Genoa • Tourists visit many northern cities, such as Florence, Pisa, and Venice. Southern Italy • Poorer than the north • Depends heavily on agriculture • Tourists visit the region’s beaches and ruins. • Italy’s government is trying to promote industry in the south, especially in the city of Naples. Italy’s capital, Rome, is in central Italy and has ties to both the north and the south.