This volume is a first attempt at examining one of the most important and yet little studied aspects of the Colombian exchange: the introduction and diffusion of maize in some countries of Southern Europe. While the potato and its impact on European history have been examined in quite some detail, the same cannot be said for maize. For this reason, this volume is made up of a collection of contributions, each with a specific geographical scope. By combining regional historiographical reviews, case studies and researches, it gathers and offers a wider spectrum of information about maize introduction and diffusion, which enables a comparative perspective.