During the Dark Ages, the Italian Peninsula faced calamitous invasions by barbarian tribes, but beginning around the 11th century, numerous Italian cities rose to great prosperity through shipping, commerce and banking (indeed, modern capitalism has its roots in Medieval Italy).
The Italian Peninsula faced calamitous invasions by barbarian tribes. This was during the Dark Ages. Numerous Italian cities rose to great prosperity through shipping, commerce and banking (indeed, modern capitalism has its roots in Medieval Italy). This was beginning around the 11th century.