Brief History of Visigoth Spain

Before the time of Isabella and Ferdinand and before Islamic Spain, Visigoths ruled the Iberian Peninsula.

Conquest of Tariq ibn Ziyad

In the southern tip of Spain stands a giant monolith that became known as the European side of the Pillars of Hercules where the Mediterranean Sea met the Atlantic. This monolith, the Rock of Gibraltar, bears a legacy of Muslim Spain. In fact, it bears the name of the man who started the Muslim conquest of the Iberian Peninsula – Tariq ibn Ziyad.

A Brief History of Genoa

The Most Serene Republic of Venice dominated commerce in the Mediterranean for centuries leading to its ascendancy as a great power. But as Venice stood mighty in the Aegean Sea, another posed as its rival in the other side of the Italian Peninsula. In the Lingurian Sea, Genoa rivaled Venice and shared its tradition as a commercial maritime power and a republican city-state.

Casa Di San Giorgio: Genoa's Premier Financial Institution

“…the San Giorgio should have possession of the whole city, the republic will become more distinguished than that of Venice."

-Niccolo Machiavelli

Commercial Contracts of Genoa

The Medieval Age had been known as the Dark Ages – a misconception that is being defunct today. In fact, it was during the Medieval Age that the commercial revolution takes place. And in Genoa, the commercial revolution led to the development of investments and contracts.

Who were the Guelfs and Ghibellines?

Dante and Petrarch had many commonalities – they were great literary figures, they contributed to the development of Italian literature, and they both experienced the political divide between Guelfs and Ghibellines. The rivalry between Ghibellines and Guelfs led to the expulsion of Dante and Petrarch’s family as they sided with the Guelfs. But this rivalry between Ghibellines and Guelfs not only created an impact on the lives of this 2 figures, but also created a mark in the political history of Italy.