Italian city states produced some of the best art and philosophy in history. They produced many other things of high craftsman ship that were valued way outside

Italian city states produced some of the best art and philosophy in history. They produced many other things of high craftsman ship that were valued way outside of Italy. I didn't just capitalize on historic cultural prestige. Italian city states failed primarily because they were in a playground between much, much, much larger powers, namely, Austria, Spain and France.