The Italian Drama

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"E 'la città degli specchi, la città di miraggi, al tempo stesso solido e liquido, allo stesso tempo aria e pietra." "It is the city of mirrors, the city of mirages, at once solid and liquid, at once air and stone." (Erica Jong).

Italy is a place of trend setting, from Milan fashion, to the famous architecture of Roma. From Venice a city on water, to Sicily a city surrounded by water. Italy is steeped in history, culuture and passion.

Italian history goes back way before Jesus was around. It originated from 4 Italian tribes; Latins, Etruscan, Oscans and Umbrians. These tribes all contributed to the language which is today known as Italian. The Latins later became the dominant tribe.

Italy later became known as the Impero Italiano (Italian Empire), one of the greatest empires to exist. It mainly centered around the Mediterranean Sea, and was expanded by Julius Caesar (44BC), Augustus (14AD), and Marcus Aurelius (180AD). I could bore you with all the facts of the Ancient Roman Empire but the point I am trying to make is that Italian History is swarming and over flowing with the most intricate assassination plots, cunning and conniving women seeking to improve their status in society as that's all a woman had in those times. Italy was the heart of the crucifiction of Jesus Christ. It had arranged marriages that were either happily married or miserably unhappy. It was a time when slaves were a currency and as easy to get rid of as they were to be bought. It was a time of glorious, majestic and ferocious Gladiators that were forced to fight in order to stay alive.

You could say that it was a brutal and heartless era, with no mercy for the wealthy or the poor. Although this was true, many of the Roman Empires actions benefit us today. One benefit, although we don't take much notice, is sewers. The Romans were also one of the first Empires to start a network of roads and road maintenance. More exciting benefits of the Roman Empire is their gorgeous Architecture, Art, language and literature contributions. The Romans developed the alphabet and the 12 month calendar we know today. More exciting to some of the females is that Romans were and still are the pinnacle of fashion trends for hundreds of years and will probably remain so for many more.

I could spend hours and hours talking about Italy and its fascinating history with all the passion, assassinations, knowledge, creativity and flair. Italy was the genius behind the inventions, I hope that I can get you as hooked as I am.

"Et tu, Brute?"

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Photos

Ancient Italy
Ancient tribes of Italy

Roman Empire
The land that Julius Ceasar, August and Marcus Arulius conquered.

The Roman Empire
The magnitude of the Roman Empire