Florence History It was during the reign of Julius Caesar that Florence came into existence, in the year 59 B.C. he established a colony along the narrowest stretch of the Arno. After conquering the Etruscans, the Romans established Florence as an important trading centre around the third century A.D. In the fifth century, the peaceful and prosperous lives of these early Florentines came to an abrupt end as the Roman Empire of the West crumbled before the waves of Barbarian conquerors coming from northern Europe. The Dark Ages had begun, and with it was lost Italian unity for nearly 1400 years. During these hard times, Charlemagne and his Frankish forces in the eighth century A.D. crushed the last of the Barbarian kings of Italy. But, this reprieve was short lived. Most of Italy came under the rule of the Emperor, and this led to future conflicts between the Emperor and the Pope that was to drive the Italians into their own version of a civil war. The population of Florence was divided over their loyalty between the two factions. Over the following centuries, control of Florence changed hands between these two groups. As blood flowed on the city streets, families built towers to provide protection from their enemies within the city. At the end of the 13th Century, with the emperor’s people in control, their internal conflicts led to their demise and to the eventual end of the conflict. At the end of the 14th Century, led by members of the wealthy merchant class, political life in Florence became the realm of artists and intellectuals that planted the seeds for the birth of the Renaissance. During the reign of his grandson Lorenzo il Magnifico, Florence was caught by an artistic and intellectual fervour that created the Renaissance movement. After the renaissance, during the re-unification of Italy in the 19th century it was made temporarily capital of Italy, until Rome finally joined the newly created Italy. Like the tourists who visit Florence today, the city still relives those years when the likes of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Botticelli, Donatello and many others helped change the world forever.
Population-Has a population of around 400, 000 people living in Florence and about 200, 000 more living in the surrounded area.
Interesting Facts -Julius Caesar founded Florence in 59 BC as the retirement location for his veteran soldiers. -Florence was home to the infamous Medici family from the 14th century to the 18th century. -There are 465 steps to the top of Brunelleschi’s cupola also known as the Duomo. -In 1339, Florence became the first city in Europe to have paved streets. -Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge in Florence to have survived WWII intact. Hitler declared it was too beautiful to destroy. -The Italian name for Florence is “Firenze”. -Florence is best known for leather and gold
1) I do not speak Italian.-Io non parlare italiano 2) I understand. -Capisco
3) I am Canadian. -Io sono Canadese
4) Yes -Si 5) No -No 6) How are you doing? –Come stai
7) I'm doing well. –Io sto facendo bene
History
It was during the reign of Julius Caesar that Florence came into existence, in the year 59 B.C. he established a colony along the narrowest stretch of the Arno. After conquering the Etruscans, the Romans established Florence as an important trading centre around the third century A.D. In the fifth century, the peaceful and prosperous lives of these early Florentines came to an abrupt end as the Roman Empire of the West crumbled before the waves of Barbarian conquerors coming from northern Europe. The Dark Ages had begun, and with it was lost Italian unity for nearly 1400 years. During these hard times, Charlemagne and his Frankish forces in the eighth century A.D. crushed the last of the Barbarian kings of Italy. But, this reprieve was short lived. Most of Italy came under the rule of the Emperor, and this led to future conflicts between the Emperor and the Pope that was to drive the Italians into their own version of a civil war. The population of Florence was divided over their loyalty between the two factions. Over the following centuries, control of Florence changed hands between these two groups. As blood flowed on the city streets, families built towers to provide protection from their enemies within the city. At the end of the 13th Century, with the emperor’s people in control, their internal conflicts led to their demise and to the eventual end of the conflict. At the end of the 14th Century, led by members of the wealthy merchant class, political life in Florence became the realm of artists and intellectuals that planted the seeds for the birth of the Renaissance. During the reign of his grandson Lorenzo il Magnifico, Florence was caught by an artistic and intellectual fervour that created the Renaissance movement. After the renaissance, during the re-unification of Italy in the 19th century it was made temporarily capital of Italy, until Rome finally joined the newly created Italy. Like the tourists who visit Florence today, the city still relives those years when the likes of Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, Dante, Botticelli, Donatello and many others helped change the world forever.
Population-Has a population of around 400, 000 people living in Florence and about 200, 000 more living in the surrounded area.
Interesting Facts
-Julius Caesar founded Florence in 59 BC as the retirement location for his veteran soldiers.
-Florence was home to the infamous Medici family from the 14th century to the 18th century. -There are 465 steps to the top of Brunelleschi’s cupola also known as the Duomo.
-In 1339, Florence became the first city in Europe to have paved streets.
-Ponte Vecchio is the only bridge in Florence to have survived WWII intact. Hitler declared it was too beautiful to destroy.
-The Italian name for Florence is “Firenze”.
-Florence is best known for leather and gold
1) I do not speak Italian.-Io non parlare italiano
2) I understand. -Capisco
3) I am Canadian. -Io sono Canadese
4) Yes -Si
5) No -No
6) How are you doing? –Come stai
7) I'm doing well. –Io sto facendo bene
Group 3: Miranda, Alex, JT