Jean Charles Leonard de Sismondi (1773-1842), whose real name was Simonde, was a writer born at Geneva. He is best known for his works on French and Italian history, and his economic ideas.

A History of the Italian Republics is a classic work of 19th-century history, written by the Swiss historian Jean-Charles-Léonard Simonde Sismondi. The book traces the rise and fall of Italian city-states from the 11th to the 16th century, including Venice, Genoa, and Florence. It is especially notable for its emphasis on the economic and social factors that shaped Italian history. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

This is a history of Italy in medieval times, the the creation of the city-states in the wake of the Roman Empire's collapse. 6th century that focuses on the Byzantine Empire and its most famous emperor, Justinian, who attempted to reconquer the former Western Roman Empire. From the preface: "When, in the early part of the eighteenth century, Italy was in measure released from Spanish subjection, the immediate revival of letters and scholarship gave evidence that the natural force and genius of the people had, indeed, been silenced by oppression, but were still quick. Giambattista Vico and others investigated the laws of progress; Ludovico Antonio Muratori, aided by Scipione Maffei of Verona and Apostolo Zeno of Venice, examined original sources of information, and their stupendous labours issued in a multitude of ponderous tomes that remain the precious possessions of the scholar, and furnish him, not merely with a vast body of authentic fact, but even with the beginnings of explanation. These Italians concerned themselves with the mediaeval records of their country; then, as when Italy became united, the first effort of her sons was to discover and reconstruct her history.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you will see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work. This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.