The Conspiracy of Gianluigi Fieschi, or, Genoa in the sixteenth century.
CHAPTER II.
THE ITALIAN STATES IN THE SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
Leo X., and his false glories--Desperate condition of the Italian states in the sixteenth century--Their aversion to the Austrian power--The Sack of Rome--Wars and Plagues--Charles V. and Francis I.--The Despotism of Christian powers causes Italian peoples to desire the yoke of the Turks--The Papal theocracy renews with the empire the compact of Charlemagne.