{"podcast":{"title":"A History of Italy","slug":"a-history-of-italy-1607818","podcast_index_feed_id":1607818,"rss_url":"https://feeds.captivate.fm/a-history-of-italy/","website_url":"https://www.sentiremedia.com/show/ahistoryofitalypodcast/","image_url":"https://artwork.captivate.fm/36063946-8d71-4a57-ba2f-80768ad44e21/015740af6ddd05c355ff5e4ba3c33625.jpg","author":"Mike Corradi","episode_count":306,"summary":"Join history buff, Mike Corradi on a journey through time as he unfolds the rich tapestry of the Italian peninsula's history. This chronological story starts with the collapse of the Western Roman Empire and leads you through the most iconic events, influential figures, and cultural milestones that have shaped Italy into what we see today. It’s all serious stuff, but we do take time to stop and laugh at battles over a bucket, rude names, naughty priests and popes, rabbits winning sieges, doves winning battles, bits of dead bodies as tokens of love, and whole series of real historical silly situations that no comedian could think of. Come along every other week for a compelling and insightful glimpse into A History of Italy.","last_synced_at":"2026-08-01T00:18:47.287322+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/a-history-of-italy-1607818"},"episode":{"title":"194 - The Italian Wars 11 - Medici pope to Medici pope - Battle of Pavia and Cognac","slug":"194-the-italian-wars-11-medici-pope-to-medici-pope-battle-of-pavia-and-cognac","published_at":"2025-09-16T13:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/a-history-of-italy-1607818/194-the-italian-wars-11-medici-pope-to-medici-pope-battle-of-pavia-and-cognac","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/a-history-of-italy-1607818","url":"https://www.sentiremedia.com/show/ahistoryofitalypodcast/","audio_url":"https://mgln.ai/e/p28996/episodes.captivate.fm/episode/bc7b9879-f568-4b58-a75c-a33b9749ede2.mp3","summary":"After three episodes exploring the life of Leonardo da Vinci, we return to the turbulent stage of the Italian Wars. In this episode, we pick up in the early 1520s, a period shaped by papal politics, dynastic rivalries, and the shifting fortunes of France and Spain. Highlights include: The succession of popes after Leo X: Hadrian VI and Clement VII, and their struggles with reform, neutrality, and survival. The tug-of-war between France and Spain over Milan and Naples, with Spain ultimately gaining the upper hand. The dramatic  Battle of Pavia (1525)  — where Francis I of France was captured, changing the balance of power in Italy. Local legend and culinary history: the devil’s bridge of Pavia and the birth of  zuppa alla pavese . The curious origin of the word  lapalisiano  (and its English cousin  lapalissade ), born from the death of French commander Jacques de La Palice. The rise of the  League of Cognac  (1526), a desperate coalition including France, the Papacy, Florence, and Venice against Charles V’s growing dominance. Along the way, we balance high politics with folklore, language quirks, and even a recipe or two — showing how wars, words, and food can be unexpectedly intertwined. Mentioned in this episode: Listen Vivace follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is not what has already happened, but what comes next. https://vivacenetwork.com/ Vivace Media Network Listen Vivace follow @VivaceMediaNetwork A life well lived is never finished. There is always another version of yourself waiting to emerge. Vivace exists for women who believe the most beautiful part of life is…","meta_description":"After three episodes exploring the life of Leonardo da Vinci, we return to the turbulent stage of the Italian Wars. In this episode, we pick up in the ear…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":1026,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/a-history-of-italy-1607818/episodes/194-the-italian-wars-11-medici-pope-to-medici-pope-battle-of-pavia-and-cognac/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/a-history-of-italy-1607818/194-the-italian-wars-11-medici-pope-to-medici-pope-battle-of-pavia-and-cognac.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}