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government of the vicious Giovanni Maria (1402–12),
who was eventually assassinated by conspirators. His
brother and ruthless successor, Filippo Maria (1412–47),
then undertook the reconstruction of the state, fighting
almost constantly against Florence and VENICE. He died
without legitimate heirs, ending the dynasty. A short-
lived republic followed, and then Francesco Sforza
(1401–66), who had married a Visconti, seized control of
Milan and its subject territory.
See alsoGUELFS ANDGHIBELLINES; SFORZA FAMILY.
Further reading:Hans Baron, The Crisis of the Early
Italian Renaissance: Civic Humanism and Republican Lib-
erty in an Age of Classicism and Tyranny(Princeton, N.J.:

Princeton University Press, 1955); Edward Burman, Ital-

ian Dynasties: The Great Families of Italy from the Renais-

sance to the Present Day (Wellingborough: Equation,

1989); E. R. Chamberlin, The Count of Virtue: Gian-

galeazzo Visconti, Duke of Milan(New York: Scribner,

1965); Dorothy Muir, A History of Milan under the Vis-

conti(London: Methuen, 1924).

Visigoths(West Goths) The Visigoths were a branch

of the GOTHSwho arrived as allies in AQUITAINEin Gaul

in 412, invited there to attack the VANDALS. They had

earlier defeated the Romans at the Battle of ADRIANOPLE