Italian philosophy has a rich history that dates back to ancient times, with notable figures such as Marcus Tullius Cicero and Seneca contributing to the development of Stoicism and rhetoric. During the Middle Ages, philosophers like Thomas Aquinas integrated Christian theology with Aristotelian thought, shaping Western philosophy significantly. The Renaissance brought a revival of classical ideas, with thinkers like Niccolò Machiavelli and Giordano Bruno exploring politics and cosmology. In the 20th century, Italian philosophers such as Antonio Gramsci and Umberto Eco focused on social theory and semiotics, further enriching the landscape of contemporary philosophy.