A Professor of Rhetoric at the University of Naples, Giambattista Vico (1668?1744) maintained highly original views on history and culture. Although relatively unknown until the 19th century, he exercised an enormous influence on modern humanities and social sciences.

Benedetto Croce (1866?1954) served as an Italian senator and in the post?WWII era was regarded as an icon of liberal anti-fascism. His Philosophy of Giambattista Vico was instrumental in introducing modern readers to Vico's school of thought.