Lords of the World. A Brief History of Italy from Ancient Rome to the Present Day

In 753 B.C., Romulus — the son of the god of war Mars, nurtured by a she-wolf — ascended the Palatine Hill and plowed a furrow around himself. The ancient gods sent Romulus and Remus their portent, which would lead to a brutal fratricide. Thus is the legend of the founding of Rome. The new city united a diverse population within its walls — slaves and fugitives, robbers and captives — and it would become the source of the most powerful force the ancient world had ever known. The distinguished art historian Ross King explores the roots of the greatness of Ancient Rome, the decline and fall of this remarkable state, the vibrant diversity of medieval Italian cities, the phenomenon of the Renaissance, the tragic fate of Italy under fascism, and the post-war era. In his captivating narrative, King covers 3,000 years of Italian history: its triumphs and defeats, unique art and architecture, the fate of great geniuses and great sinners. "After night comes dawn, for the entire history of Italy is about resilience and rebirth" (Ross King).