In the first section of this history, entitled “Guelphs and Ghibellines,” the fortunes of the peninsula were traced from the death of the Emperor Frederick II. in 1250 down to the Council of Pisa in 1409. In the present section it is proposed to carry on the narrative down to the fall of Florence in 1530. Having arrived at the middle point of our long journey, it will be convenient to cast an eye both forwards and backwards and to consider briefly the fortunes of the five principal states of Italy, Milan, Florence, Venice, Rome and Naples, during these three momentous centuries. We will shortly recapitulate the steps by which they gradually attained the rank of states, and follow their destinies to the point where they are just about to merge into a common Italy. - Oscar Browning
Contents: Retrospect and Prospect. Joanna Of Naples—Muzio Sforza—Braccio da Montone and Carmagnola. The Emperor Sigismund—Pope Eugenius IV.—The Rise of the Medici—Alfonzo of Arragon. Francesco Sforza—Frederick III.—Pius II. Cosimo dei Medici—Paul II. The Turks in Europe. Lorenzo dei Medici—Galeazzo Maria Sforza. Charles VIII in Italy. Savonarola. Pope Alexander VI. Pope Julius II. Leo X. The Sack of Rome. The Fall of Florence.
Contents: Retrospect and Prospect. Joanna Of Naples—Muzio Sforza—Braccio da Montone and Carmagnola. The Emperor Sigismund—Pope Eugenius IV.—The Rise of the Medici—Alfonzo of Arragon. Francesco Sforza—Frederick III.—Pius II. Cosimo dei Medici—Paul II. The Turks in Europe. Lorenzo dei Medici—Galeazzo Maria Sforza. Charles VIII in Italy. Savonarola. Pope Alexander VI. Pope Julius II. Leo X. The Sack of Rome. The Fall of Florence.
