Full History of Italy in 5 Minutes

Italy, a boot-shaped country in the Mediterranean Sea, covers an area of 301,338 square kilometers. Its capital is Rome and it primarily consists of a peninsula.

From the 9th century BC to the 6th century AD, Italy was inhabited by various ancient tribes. The Phoenicians colonized Sicily and Sardinia, while Greek colonies emerged in Magna Graecia of southern Italy. Etruscans ruled central regions and Celts occupied northern areas until Rome's foundation in 753 BC marked the beginning of a new era under seven Etruscan kings. In 509 BC, Romans established a republic after overthrowing their last king; this led to significant territorial expansion across Europe and beyond. Julius Caesar’s assassination precipitated the fall of the Republic, transitioning into an expansive Roman Empire that peaked under Emperor Trajan before its decline began around the third century AD.

By the late Middle Ages, Italy was fragmented into independent kingdoms and city-states, setting the stage for the Renaissance. This cultural movement began in Florence and led to significant advancements across various fields including art, literature, science, and exploration. However, by the end of the 15th century, foreign domination took hold due to conflicts known as the Italian Wars. The Habsburgs gained control over much of Italy until Napoleon's invasion in 1796 established a new political landscape with his Kingdom of Italy.

In 1861, Italy achieved unification and established the Kingdom of Italy. By 1866, in alliance with Prussia, it invaded Austria and annexed territories. The final phase of unification occurred when Rome was taken from the Papal States, making it the capital. In World War I, after joining forces with Germany and Austria through a treaty in London, Italy fought against Central Powers but faced disappointment as promised territorial gains were not fulfilled post-war.

The rise of the Italian fascist dictatorship began in 1922 after Benito Mussolini's March on Rome. His regime aimed to restore and expand Italy’s territories, leading to the invasion of Ethiopia in 1935 and the annexation of Albania shortly thereafter. In World War II, Italy sided with Axis powers but faced defeat; Mussolini was deposed following Allied invasions in July 1943. After a brief puppet state under German control known as the Italian Social Republic, resistance movements fought against both Nazi occupiers and fascists until Mussolini's capture and execution in April 1945, culminating with Germany's surrender soon after.

In 1946, Italy transitioned from a monarchy to a republic following a referendum. The period between 1958 and 1963 marked significant economic growth known as the 'economic miracle.' As a founding member of NATO, the European Coal and Steel Community (ECSC), and the European Union (EU), Italy holds an influential position in Europe. Today, it ranks as the ninth largest economy by nominal GDP and is one of the most visited countries globally.