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Synopsis
Historians have long held that during the decades from the end of the Habsburg-Valois Wars in 1559 until the outbreak in 1618 of the Thirty Years' War, Spanish domination of Italy was so complete that one can refer to the period as a "pax hispanica." In this book, based on extensive research in the papers of the ambassadors who represented Charles V and Philip II, Michael J. Levin instead reveals the true fragility of Spanish control and the ambiguous nature of its impact on Italian political and cultural life.
While exploring the nature and weaknesses of Spanish imperialism in the sixteenth century, Levin focuses on the activities of Spain's emissaries in Rome and Venice, drawing us into a world of intrigue and occasional violence as the Spaniards attempted to manipulate the crosscurrents of Italian and papal politics to serve their own ends. Levin's often-colorful account uncovers the vibrant world of late Renaissance diplomacy in which popes were forced to flee down secret staircases and ambassadors too often only narrowly avoided assassination. An important contribution to our understanding of the nature and limits of the Spanish imperial system, Agents of Empire more broadly highlights the centrality of diplomatic history to any consideration of the politics of empire.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
About the Author
Michael J. Levin is Associate Professor of History at the University of Akron.
Review
"Michael J. Levin is a masterful storyteller who has transformed good old-fashioned diplomatic history in a refreshing way to reinterpret one of the most fundamental questions in European history―how the fiercely independent city-states of Renaissance Italy seemingly became pliant colonies of Spain during the sixteenth century. Levin shows that this traditional dilemma begs the real question because Spanish hegemony was a myth. The fastidious arrogance of the Spanish and their inability to see the situation through the eyes of others led to blunder after blunder, diplomatic embarrassments, and military defeats. Indeed, the emperor had no clothes, a fact even his most dedicated agents could not cover up. I could not put Agents of Empire down as I learned new things on page after page."
(Edward Muir, Clarence L. Ver Steeg Professor in the Arts and Sciences, Northwestern University)"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherCornell University Press
- Publication date2005
- ISBN 10 0801443520
- ISBN 13 9780801443527
- BindingHardcover
- Edition number1
- Number of pages238
- Rating
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Agents of Empire: Spanish Ambassadors in Sixteenth-Century Italy
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Cornell University Press, Ithaca, NY, 2005
ISBN 10: 0801443520
ISBN 13: 9780801443527
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Hardcover. Condition: Near Fine. Dust Jacket Condition: Fine. First Edition. viii (ii), 228 pp. First Edition, 2005. Preface, introduction, 7 chapters with footnotes, conclusion, bibliography, index. Pristine, no wear. No markings, binding tight, clean, white and bright. 6.5" x 9.5" Tan cloth with gilt lettering to spine. Unclipped Pictorial dj in acetate protector. Size: Octavo. Book. Seller Inventory # 8080
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Agents of Empire: Spanish Ambassadors in Sixteenth-Century Italy.
Seller: Fundus-Online GbR Borkert Schwarz Zerfaß, Berlin, Germany
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Condition: Sehr gut. 228 p., w/ map. From the library of Prof. Wolfgang Haase, long-time editor of ANRW and the International Journal of the Classical Tradition (IJCT). - In perfect condition. -Content: This book originated from my interest in the political and cultural relationship between Spain and Italy in the late Renaissance. In order to explore contemporary perspectives on these issues, I decided to focus on Spanish resident ambassadors in Rome and Venice, the two most powerful Italian states. As the official representatives of the Spanish Habsburgs, the ambassadors were the point men in the Crown's campaign to establish hegemony in Italy. Through examination of the correspondence between the ambassadors and their monarchs, I was able to analyze individual opinions and actions, as well as gain insights on larger issues, like the nature of Spanish imperialism and the development of national identity. Diplomatic correspondence is often dry or routine, but the writers' personalities still manage to shine through, and that is where history comes alive. The ambassadors were sometimes flamboyant, usually arrogant, and always dedicated to their cause. To my surprise, they also seemed anxious. Most historians describe Italy in this period as a region dominated by Spain, so much so that Italy experienced a "pax hispánica" until the late seventeenth century. So why were the Spanish ambassadors so uneasy? I found it difficult to accept that Spanish hegemony in Italy was as absolute as we believed, if the Spanish officials in Italy at the time could be so uncertain. It was their business to dominate the Italians, but they clearly did not believe they had completely succeeded. In this study, I analyze how the ambassadors tried to control Venice and the Papacy, and why they never quite did. In the end, I suggest, the Spaniards' own imperial power and arrogance became a liability. The greater their strength and hubris, the more the Italians feared and resented them. Spanish imperialism, like most such ventures, thus produced ambiguous results. The long process of turning a dissertation into a book was made possible by the generosity of many people at various institutions. First of all I wish to express my gratitude for a University of Akron Faculty Research Grant (2000), and a Miller Humanities Center Travel Grant (2001), which funded several months in the archives. I would also like to thank the caretakers and archivists at the Archivo General de Simancas, the Institute de Valencia de Don Juan, and the Archivo de Zabalburu, particularly for all the photocopies they made for me. Many scholars and friends contributed to and corrected my work. I would especially like to thank John Marino for the care and thoroughness with which he reviewed my manuscript. I would also like to thank Geoffrey Parker, Jim Boyden, Carlos Eire, and Ed Muir for their invaluable advice and support. My colleagues in the History Department at the University of Akron have been extraordinarily generous with their time and patience. In particular, I wish to thank Kevin Kern, Michael Graham, Connie Bouchard, Walter Hixson, Michael Carley, and Elizabeth Mancke for their help proofreading and editing, as well as for their friendship. Finally, I would like to thank my family. The love we share is beyond words. Mom, Dad, and Rachel, this book is for you. ISBN 9780801443527 Sprache: Englisch Gewicht in Gramm: 405 Original cloth with dust jacket. Seller Inventory # 1170360
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Agents of Empire : Spanish Ambassadors in Sixteenth-century Italy
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ISBN 13: 9780801443527
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Agents of Empire: Spanish Ambassadors in Sixteenth-Century Italy
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Agents of Empire: Spanish Ambassadors in Sixteenth-Century Italy
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ISBN 10: 0801443520
ISBN 13: 9780801443527
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Hardback. Condition: New. New copy - Usually dispatched within 4 working days. Historians have long held that during the decades from the end of the Habsburg-Valois Wars in 1559 until the outbreak in 1618 of the Thirty Years' War, Spanish domination of Italy was so complete that one can refer to the period as a "pax hispanica.". Seller Inventory # B9780801443527
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Agents of Empire : Spanish Ambassadors in Sixteenth-century Italy
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ISBN 10: 0801443520
ISBN 13: 9780801443527
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Agents of Empire Spanish Ambassadors in SixteenthCentury Italy
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Hardcover. Condition: Brand New. 1st edition. 238 pages. 9.50x6.25x1.00 inches. In Stock. This item is printed on demand. Seller Inventory # __0801443520
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Agents of Empire: Spanish Ambassadors in Sixteenth-century Italy
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ISBN 10: 0801443520
ISBN 13: 9780801443527
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Agents of Empire: Spanish Ambassadors in Sixteenth-Century Italy
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ISBN 10: 0801443520
ISBN 13: 9780801443527
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