The Velvet Glove

Who traditionally founded Italy’s capital? Romulus and Remus

Who briefly reconquered Italy from the Ostrogoths in the sixth century CE? Emperor Justinian of Byzantium

Which empire of Medieval Europe was nominally centred on Rome? Holy Roman Empire

By which collective name were Italian states such as Venice, Genoa and Pisa sometimes known? The Maritime Republics

Which treaty, signed in 1454, brought (comparative) peace to Italy for the first time in centuries? The Peace of Lodi

Which Diplomacy-esque game, named after a famous Italian philosopher, is based in Italy? Machiavelli

What is the name given to the cultural awakening that started in Italy and spread throughout Europe at the end of the Middle Ages? The Renaissance

Which three European empires dominated Italian states from the mid-sixteenth century CE? Spain, the Habsburg Empire and, to a lesser extent, France.

Which two states was Italy divided into by Napoleon? The Kingdom of Italy and the Kingdom of Naples and Sicilly (or the Kingdom of the Two Sicillies).

Which post-Napoleonic Wars settlement re-asserted the dominance of the Habsburg Empire over northern Italy in 1814? The Congress of Vienna.

In what year did the House of Savoy first attempt to re-unite Italy under one Italian kingdom? 1848.

Which Italian nationalist’s activities eventually about the unification of Italy in 1861? Garibaldi.

Which was the final European power thrown out of Italy in 1870? France.

At which battle in 1918 did Italy defeat the Austro-Hungarian Empire to bring about the end of WWI? The Battle of Vittorio Veneto.

Of which political movement was Benito Mussolini originally a member? Italian Socialist Party (PSI).

Which African nation did Italy infamously invade in 1935? Abyssinia (Ethiopia).

What was the name of the puppet state created in northern Italy by Nazi Germany after the successful Allied campaign in the south? The Italian Socialist Republic (RSI).

What was the name of Italy’s currency pre-Euro? Lira.

Which Italian magnate has been Prime Minister of Italy a number of times, and has been banned from Italian politics for corruption? Silvio Berlusconi.

Which standard map variant of Diplomacy seeks to improve Italy’s position in the game by altering its starting units? Fleet Rome (the Milan Variant also seeks to strengthen Italy).