Italy’s double‑bind, cultural continuity, and restitution politics

TL;DR:

Italy practices a deliberate double‑bind: invoking uninterrupted cultural continuity with ancient Rome to claim prestige and seniority, while legally disavowing that continuity to avoid restitution liability.

This manifests as a “Glory” narrative that brands Rome—and Italy—as a 2,000‑year heir to imperial power, paired with a “Liability” defense …