Difference between revisions of "Italy"

<p> Not mentioned in the Old Testament, unless under general terms, as Chittim, [[Isles]] of the sea. In the New Testament, &nbsp;Acts 18:2 &nbsp; 27:1,6 &nbsp; Hebrews 13:24 , it is chiefly of interest on account of [[Rome, Romans]]  which see. The Italian band, mentioned in &nbsp;Acts 10:1 , was probably a Roman cohort from Italy, stationed at Cesarea; so called to distinguish it from the other troops, which were drawn from Syria and the adjacent regions. </p>

<p> ( '''''Ι᾿Ταλία''''' '','' of uncertain etymology), the name of the country of which Rome was the capital (&nbsp;Acts 18:2; &nbsp;Acts 27:1; &nbsp;Acts 27:6; &nbsp;Hebrews 13:24). This, like most geographical names, was differently applied at different periods. In the earliest times the name ''"Italy" In'' cluded only the little peninsula of ''Culabrias'' (Strabo, 5, 1). The country now called Italy was then inhabited by a number of nations distinct in origin, language, and government, such as the Gauls, Ligurians, and Veneti on the north, and the Pelasgi, Sabines, Etrurians, etc., on the south. But, as the power of Rome advanced, these nations were successively annexed to the great state and the name ''"Italy"'' extended also, tin it came to be applied to the whole country south of the Alps, and Polybius seems to use it in this sense (1, 6; 2, 14). For the progress of the history of the world, see Smith's ''Dictionary Of Classical'' Geography, s.v. From the time of the close of the republic it was employed as we employ it now, i.e. in its true geographical sense, as denoting the whole natural peninsula between the Alps and the Straits of Messina. In the New [[Testament]] it occurs three or, indeed, more correctly speaking, four times. In &nbsp;Acts 10:1, the Italian cohort at [[Caesarea]] ( '''''Ἡ''''' '''''Σπεῖρα''''' '''''Ἡ''''' '''''Καλουμένη''''' '''''Ι᾿Ταλικη''''' , A.V. Italian band"), consisting, as it doubtless did, of men recruited in Italy, illustrates the military relations of the imperial peninsula with the provinces. (See [[Army]]). </p> <p> In &nbsp;Acts 18:2, where we are told of the expulsion of Aquila and Priscilla with their compatriots '''''‘''''' ; from Italy," we are reminded of the large Jewish population which many authorities show that it contained. &nbsp;Acts 27:1, where the beginning of St. Paul's voyage '''''‘''''' to Italy' is mentioned, and the whole subsequent narrative. illustrate the trade which subsisted between the peninsula and other parts of the Mediterranean. Lastly, the words in &nbsp;Hebrews 13:24, "They of Italy ( '''''Οἰ''''' '''''Ἀπὸ''''' '''''Τῆς''''' '''''Ιταλίας''''' ) salute you," whatever they may prove for or against this being the region in which the letter was written (and the matter has been strongly argued both ways), are interesting as a specimen of the progress of Christianity in the West. A concise account of the divisions and history of ancient Italy may be found in Anthon's ''Class. Dict.'' s.v. Italia. (See [[Rome]]). </p>

<p> ''''' it´a ''''' - ''''' 51 ''''' ( Ἰταλία , <i> ''''' Italı́a ''''' </i> ): At first confined as a name to the extreme southern part of the Italian peninsula in the region now called Calabria, whence its application was gradually extended. In Greek usage of the 5th century bc, the name was applied to the coasts as far as Metapontum and Posidonia, being synonymous with Oenotria. The Oenotrians are represented as having assumed the name of Italians ( <i> Itali </i> ) from a legendary ruler Italus (Dionysius, i.12,35; Vergil, <i> Aen </i> . i.533). The extension of Roman authority seems to have given this name an ever-widening application, since it was used to designate their allies generally. As early as the time of Polybius the name Italy was sometimes employed as an appellation for all the country between the two seas (Tyrrhenian and Adriatic) and from the foot of the Alps to the Sicilian Straits (Polyb. i.6; ii.14; iii.39,54), although Cisalpine [[Gaul]] was not placed on a footing of complete equality with the peninsula as regards administration until shortly after the death of [[Julius]] Caesar. From the time of Augustus the term was used in practically its modern sense (Nissen, <i> Italische Landeskunde </i> , I, 57-87). </p> <p> The name Italy occurs 3 times in the New Testament: &nbsp;Acts 18:2 , Aquila "lately come from Italy," because of the expulsion of the Jews from Rome under Claudius; &nbsp;Acts 27:1 , the decision that Paul be sent to Italy; &nbsp;Hebrews 13:24 , salutation from those "of Italy." The adjective form is found in the appellation, "Italian band" ( <i> ''''' cohors Italica ''''' </i> , &nbsp;Acts 10:1 ). </p> <p> The history of ancient Italy, in so far as it falls within the scope of the present work, is treated under Rome (which see). </p>