I’m learning about how the Kingdom of Two Sicilies was liberated/invaded (pick your point of view) by the Liberal northerners in the 1860s. There were massacres all over the South to put down the “brigands”, some were indeed criminals but many of whom were actually just staunchly Catholic Bourbon loyalists. 61 men women and children and priests were shot dead in my mom’s hometown.
You’re right. Naples was the center of Italian culture in the early 1800s. By the end of the century it was in shambles, its wealth was appropriated by the Piemontesi, and that’s why so many southern Italians ended up in dire poverty and came here. They were driven out by Liberals. Quite literally.
I stumbled upon all of this when I found a possible ancestor of mine was court-martialled in the 1860s for giving aid and comfort to “brigands.”
all of the foot of Italy and sicily were part of Magna Graecia :) and they were also earlier settled by “Sea Peoples” — cousins of the Philistines