It is named after Ruina d'Italia, the cessation of political balance in the Italian peninsula, which began in 1494 following the invasion of Charles VIII, lasted throughout the first half of the 16th century and beyond. During this time, Italy was shocked by wars, looting and constant political instability. Whole states such as the Kingdom of Naples and the Duchy of Milan fell under the first French and then Spanish rule. Political bodies that were formally independent also had to adapt their policies to those of the two hegemonic powers (except Venice, which managed to preserve its autonomy entirely). The situation stabilized only in 1559 with the Peace of Cateau-Cambrésis marking the definitive renunciation of France to all his hegemonic pretensions on Italy and the affirmation of Spain, which for over a century and a half exerted a predominance on it almost absolute, both political and military.

However, the first half of the sixteenth century was, for Italy, a century of great and important transformations. The Renaissance knew its last, and perhaps the most brilliant season, and Italy centrosettentrionale continued to be one of the greatest economic and financial hubs in Europe. Voices correlateemodify wikitesto

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