Difference between revisions of "Italy"

<p> <strong> ITALY </strong> . This word varied in sense from time to time. It first signified only the Southern (the Greek) part of the peninsula; later it included all the country south of the Lombard plain; and finally, before the time of Christ, it had come to bear the meaning which it has now. Its central position in the Mediterranean, the conformation of its coast, and the capabilities of its soil under proper cultivation, fitted it to be the home and centre of a governing race. In the 1st cent. a.d. there was constant communication between the capital Rome and every part of the Empire, by well-recognized routes. Among the routes to the E., which mainly concern the NT student, was that from Rome along the W. coast of Italy to Campania, where it crossed the country and eventually reached Brundisium. From the harbour there the traveller either sailed across the Adriatic to Dyrrhachium, and went by the Egnatian road to [[Thessalonica]] and beyond, or sailed across to the Gulf of Corinth, transhipped from Lechæum to Cenchreæ (wh. see), and from there sailed to [[Ephesus]] or [[Antioch]] or Alexandria, as he desired. The best account of a home journey is in Acts 27:1-44 . The Jews poured into Italy, especially to Rome, and had been familiar to the Italians long before Christianity came. </p> <p> A. Souter. </p>

<p> Not mentioned in the Old Testament, unless under general terms, as Chittim, [[Isles]] of the sea. In the New Testament, Acts 18:2 27:1,6 Hebrews 13:24 , it is chiefly of interest on account of ROME, ROMANS, which see. The Italian band, mentioned in 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 (Acts 18:2; Acts 27:1; Acts 27:6; 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 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 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. 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 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> The central one of three peninsulas stretching into the [[Mediterranean]] Sea, in the S. of Europe, has the Adriatic and Tyrrhenian Seas respectively on the E. and W., and is separated from France, Switzerland, and [[Austria]] in the N. by the various ranges of the Alps. Between the Alps and the Apennines lies the extensive, fertile plain of Lombardy, watered by the river Po, and containing several large lakes, such as Garda, Como, and Maggiore. The Apennines form a very picturesque chain of mountains 5000 ft. high down the centre of the country. The climate varies in different districts, but is mostly warm. Malaria curses many parts in autumn. [[Agriculture]] is extensive, but primitive in manner, and the peasantry are very poor. The most important crops are cereals, including rice and maize, grapes, olives, and chestnuts, and in the S. oranges and lemons. Italian wines are of indifferent quality. [[Coal]] and iron are scarce; sulphur is produced in large quantities in Sicily. There are large quarries of marble and alabaster. The most important industries are silk, glass, and porcelain. There is an extensive foreign trade, chiefly with [[France]] and Great Britain; the exports consist of silk, sulphur, marble, fruit, and wine; the imports of coal, iron, and textile goods. The religion is Roman Catholic; education is now compulsory. The Gothic kingdom of Italy was founded on the ruins of the Roman Empire, A.D. 489. In succession the country was conquered by the forces of the Byzantine Empire, by the Lombards, and by the Franks. From the 11th century onwards its history has been one of constant internal strife and confusion. The presence of the papal power in Rome, the rise of such rich trading republics as the cities of Milan, Florence, Naples, Genoa, and Venice, the pretensions of French kings and German emperors, and factions like those of the [[Guelphs]] and Ghibellines, produced endless complications and ruinous wars. In the 16th century the influence of the Austro-Spanish house of [[Charles]] V. became dominant; his son, [[Philip]] II., was king of [[Milan]] and Naples. In more recent times the small states of Italy were continually involved in the wars which devastated Europe, and passed in alliance or in subordination into the hands of Austria, France, and [[Spain]] alternately. The last 50 years have seen the unification of the kingdom. After the abortive movement of Mazzini came Cavour and Garibaldi, who, after severe struggles against the Austrians in the North and the despots of Southern Italy, proclaimed [[Victor]] [[Emmanuel]] king of Italy in 1861. By various steps the whole of the peninsula, with the islands of [[Sardinia]] and Sicily, have been brought into the kingdom. The temporal power of the [[Pope]] ceased in 1870. The [[Government]] is a con stitutional monarchy. Franchise is exercised by every citizen who can read and write. Conscription is in force for army and navy. These are both strong, the navy one of the best in Europe. Finances are bad; the debt amounts to £520,000,000, and taxation is ruinous. </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: Acts 18:2 , Aquila "lately come from Italy," because of the expulsion of the Jews from Rome under Claudius; Acts 27:1 , the decision that Paul be sent to Italy; Hebrews 13:24 , salutation from those "of Italy." The adjective form is found in the appellation, "Italian band" ( <i> '''''cohors Italica''''' </i> , 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>