The Ghibellines were a political faction in medieval Italy that supported the authority of the Holy Roman Emperor. They often opposed the Guelphs, who favored the Pope's influence over Italian city-states. The conflict between these two groups was significant in shaping the political landscape of Italy during the 12th to 15th centuries. Ghibellines were primarily composed of the nobility and landowners, who sought to maintain their power and autonomy against papal authority. Their influence was particularly strong in regions like Tuscany and Lombardy, where they engaged in various conflicts and alliances with other factions, contributing to the complex history of Italian city-states.