A History of Italy

Join history buff, Mike Corradi on a journey through time as he unfolds the rich tapestry of the Italian peninsula's history. This chronological story starts with the dramatic collapse of the Western Roman Empire and leads you through the most iconic events, influential figures, and cultural milestones that have shaped Italy into what we see today.

Reviews

"Interesting and witty episodes of the perfect length. Don’t miss this podcast (or Mike’s family helping out with the skits at the end of the episodes!). Practically perfect in every way! "

Helenka Kinnan | May 6, 2023

"This is an equal part interesting and fun podcast to listen to talking about the roots of Italian history beginning thousands of years ago before the modern conception of Italian unification. The pod…"

Kara DiDomizio | June 30, 2020

"Incredibly fun and informative podcast that covers Italy from the fall of the Western Roman Empire onwards. Filled with just enough wit to keep it lively and paced beautifully to move it along, it's …"

| May 8, 2020

Great stuff!

"Clear and entertaining. Love the special episodes!"

HelenRayCA | Feb. 15, 2024

Hello You

"Mil grazie"

Ned Snark | July 26, 2023

Well researched with a sense of humor

"Well researched with a sense of humor and personality is exactly what I want from a history podcast. Plus the episodes are a good length. Not too long for my limited attention span!"

her half of history | May 11, 2023

Must-Listen: A History of Italy

"Absolutely captivating! 'A History of Italy' is a fascinating and well-researched journey through the rich and complex history of this beautiful country. The host's passion and enthusiasm for the sub…"

Murdrak | Feb. 15, 2023

Wonderful!

"I am a little late to this but am really enjoying it. Lots of fun little bits and good information."

Dkfffffffdk | Dec. 31, 2022

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Recent Episodes

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Interview episode: Learning Italian with Margherita from "Italian Matters"

208

June 16, 2026

Interview episode: Learning Italian with Margherita from "Italian Matters"

We talk to Margarita, Berti, Founder and owner of the "Italian matters" project about the best practice for learning Italian, including dos and don'ts, sources and approaches. If you want to look her up, you will find Margarita at: italianmatters.com

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A hiatus announcement and an announcement of an announcement

207

June 9, 2026

A hiatus announcement and an announcement of an announcement

Just a quick message to let you know that the podcast may be slowing down a bit over the next month or so as i am studying for the exam to become a recognised Italian tour guide. Also to give you a little hint for an upcoming surprise...

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Isabella d’Este — The First Lady of the Renaissance

206

May 26, 2026

Isabella d’Este — The First Lady of the Renaissance

In this episode of A History of Italy, we explore the extraordinary life of Isabella d’Este, one of the most influential women of the Italian Renaissance and arguably the closest thing the 15th and 16th centuries had to a modern celebrity influencer. Born into the powerful House of Este in Ferrara and married into the Gonzaga dynasty of Mantua, Isabella navigated the violent and unstable political world of Renaissance Italy with intelligence, diplomacy and cultural sophistication. While others

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Call for contributions for the podcast website

207

May 14, 2026

Call for contributions for the podcast website

We are opening a new section of the podcast website with contributions from you, dear listener! You can send in articles, thoughts, family stories and so on. They should be: Pertinent to Italy, trips to Italy Italian culture and history or Italians abroad. Not contain vulgarity /unless required for the story of quoted) hate speech, promote gambling and so on Contain references to sources You can also add a quick bio if you like hello@ahistoryofitaly.com

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Interview episode: The Toscanini conspiracy with Filippo Iannarone

206

May 5, 2026

Interview episode: The Toscanini conspiracy with Filippo Iannarone

When the president of the brand new Republic of Italy, Luigi Einaudi decides in 1946 he wants to exercise his right to select 5 illustrious Italians to be senators for life, one of his choices falls on world famous conductor Arturo Toscanini. The candidates, however, must have a spotless reputation and the check into the conductors life soon reveals that he was present in the small sleepy Tuscan of Piazze at the time of an infamous murder, that of a famous doctor, Alberto Rinaldi. Retired Colone

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205 - Venice back on its feet (more or less (1516 to 1540)

205

April 21, 2026

205 - Venice back on its feet (more or less (1516 to 1540)

Episode Summary The 16th century didn’t start kindly for the Republic of Venice—but if history has taught us anything, it’s that Venice had a knack for bouncing back. In this episode, we follow Venice from near-collapse during the War of the League of Cambrai through its remarkable recovery by 1516. But survival came at a cost: a shifting role in European trade, rising global powers, and increasingly complex political alliances. As Venice navigates between France, the Holy Roman Empire, and t

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About the Host

Mike Corradi

Host

Mike Corradi is an Anglo-Italian, born in the northern Piedmont region of Italy and brought up between the UK and the USA.
He has a degree in languages in literature, with a minor in History which has become his passion as he teaches English as his day job.

He also creates audio tours of Italian cities on the VoiceMap app.

He lives in the Emilia Romagna region with his wife and two children whose comedic acting skills you can find in the sketches that accompany the episodes.