Marco Gentile

Marco Gentile is an Associate Professor of Medieval History at the University of Parma's Department of Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Enterprises. Born in Milan, he holds a MA in Medieval History from the State University of Milan and a PhD in Historical Studies from the University of Trent. His academic career includes a Dombrowski Fellowship at Villa I Tatti (Harvard's Italian Renaissance Center), research fellowships at Milan Statale, and visiting status at Oxford's All Souls College during 2016/17.

• Current roles: Associate Professor, University of Parma
• Department: DUSIC (Humanities, Social Sciences and Cultural Enterprises)
• Administrative roles: Head of Humanities Degree Course (2020–present)

Research Focus

Gentile specializes in late medieval Northern Italian political-institutional and social history, particularly Parma. His work examines state-building processes, urban political elites, the role of Lombard landed nobility under the Visconti and Sforza duchies, factional networks, and conflict management through feuds and patronage. He has contributed to medievalism studies and Renaissance political culture.

Publication Trends

His recent works analyze 1463 Milanese fiscal records, festival-related violence, and 15th-century Parma factional dynamics. He explores how Aristotle's political works influenced factional thought and how political representation evolved from communal to regional states.

Scientific Recognition

• Dombrowski Fellowship in History (2005)

Academic Contributions

He edits for Società e storia and co-edits the Lombardia nel Rinascimento series. His teaching includes Medieval History and Exegesis of Medieval Historical Sources for BA/MA programs.