Italy

Thomas Meakin asks to what extent Italian Fascism represented a triumph of style over substance.

F.G. Stapleton highlights the key role played by the Italian King in the Rise of Mussolini.

One of the great conspiracy theories of the Second World War is that the ­Americans struck a deal with Mafia mobsters to ­conquer Sicily. Tim Newark exposes the truth behind this notorious story of Mafia collaboration.

The Renaissance political figure died on 12 March 1507.

Philip Morgan explains why Italians have tended to gloss over the period 1940-43, when Mussolini fought against the Allies, preferring to remember the years of German occupation 1943-45.

Robert Pearce highlights Giuseppe Mazzini’s role in the Risorgimento.

Charles Freeman visits the Eternal City, and finds the Castel Sant’Angelo, home to emperors and popes, to be the clue to unravelling its fabulously rich and complex history.

Vincent Barnett reveals that there is more to Machiavelli than his notorious reputation.

Alan Farmer examines the process which led to the unification of Italy.