Sommario
Storia degli Italiani, vol.
08 by Cesare Cantù focuses on the rise of Gian Galeazzo Visconti and his conflicts with Tuscany, culminating in the establishment of the Duchy of Milan.
It details the Visconti family's consolidation of power, their brutal governance, and strategic alliances, particularly under Gian Galeazzo, who expanded his dominion through cunning diplomacy and military might.
The volume also covers the decline of the Carrara and Scaliger families, the internal struggles of cities like Florence and Pisa, and the broader political dynamics involving the Church, mercenaries, and rival city-states.
Key themes include the erosion of communal liberties, the rise of despotic rule, and the interplay of Guelf and Ghibelline factions in medieval Italy.