Montreal – The Italian Renaissance is remembered for producing some of Europe’s greatest artistic and literary achievements. Yet behind its cultural splendor lay a world of conspiracies, betrayals and political violence, a darker side that has inspired countless novels, plays and, more recently, television series such as The Borgias. These hidden dimensions of Renaissance Italy will be the focus of Conspiracies! Intrigue and Betrayal in the Italian Renaissance, a conference taking place on June 8 at 6 p.m. at the Italian Cultural Institute in Montreal. The event will examine the power struggles, political rivalries and religious tensions that shaped one of the most influential periods in Italian history. Speakers include Arianna Capirossi and Giacomo Ventura of the University of Bologna, who will be joined in discussion by Dario Brancato of Concordia University. (9colonne)