“ Speaking Italian Italian is a Romance language, meaning that it is based on Latin, the language of ancient Rome. Spanish, French, Portuguese, and Romanian are also Romance languages. Many people who speak only Spanish can understand and be understood… — Jean F. Blashfield Copy Share Image
“ Rumbling Mountains Four active volcanoes shake the southern Apennines. One of these, Mount Vesuvius, lies on the shore of the Bay of Naples. The people who lived near it two thousand years ago didn’t know it was a volcano.… — Jean F. Blashfield Copy Share Image
“ Leaving Italy Italians have been involved with North America from the time of Christopher Columbus. In the years when Italy was trying to… — Jean F. Blashfield Copy Share Image
“ The Sporting Arena Rome’s Colosseum, which opened in A.D. 80, was built specifically for sporting competitions. About fifty thousand spectators sat on terraced marble benches that formed an oval. Below the arena were dressing rooms and holding chambers where animals were kept. Most of the competitions held in the Colosseum involved deadly combat. Sometimes, fighters called gladiators would battle… — Jean F. Blashfield Copy Share
“ The Renaissance After the fall of the Roman Empire, Europe began a period that is called the Middle Ages, or the medieval period. The Middle Ages were dominated by war, illness, and concerns about mortality. During this time, Rome lost much of its former grandeur and vitality. It had perhaps no more than thirteen thousand residents in the 1300s.… — Jean F. Blashfield Copy Share
“Italy is in southern Europe, on the northern side of the Mediterranean Sea. Within its borders are a glorious array of landscapes. In the… — Jean F. Blashfield Copy Share Image
“ Rome: Did You Know This? Rome is often called the Eternal City. The spirits of ancient civilizations live on in monuments and ruins that are located throughout the city. Yet Rome today is also a vibrant, modern city. Once the capital of a huge empire, Rome has been the capital of Italy since 1871. Rome is located in the… — Jean F. Blashfield Copy Share
“ Glorious Food Italians are known the world over for their food. Each region of Italy enjoys its own kind of cooing. For example, in Naples, pasta is served with a tomato-based sauce, while in the north, it is more often served with a white cheese sauce. The people of Genoa often put pesto, a flavorful mixture of basil, pine… — Jean F. Blashfield Copy Share
“ The Saint of Assisi Francesco di Pietro di Bernardone of Assisi, better known as Francis, wanted to be a soldier. But in the year 1205, he had a vision telling him that God had other plans for him. He became a hermit, forsaking all worldly goods. Francis began to preach, drawing followers to his side. He created simple rules… — Jean F. Blashfield Copy Share
“With Italy made, we must now make the Italians.” That’s what one Italian political leader said after the unification of Italy. A century and… — Jean F. Blashfield Copy Share Image
“ Tourism Tourism is the largest segment of the Italian economy. Millions of Italians work in the tourist industry. They work in hotels and… — Jean F. Blashfield Copy Share Image
“ Education Children in Italy must go to school from age six until age fourteen. Primary school goes through age eleven, when children move… — Jean F. Blashfield Copy Share Image
“ Celebrations Christmas is Italy’s biggest holiday. Stores decorate in gold, silver, red, and white. At home, many people celebrate Christmas Eve with a… — Jean F. Blashfield Copy Share Image
