This classic work of Italian history, first published in 1865, traces the rise and fall of the Republic of Florence, one of the most important and influential city-states of the Renaissance. From its origins as a commune to its heyday as a center of art, science, and banking, and finally its decline and absorption into the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, Trollope provides a detailed and engaging account of this fascinating period in 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.