This book examines the alliance between the Spanish Crown and Genoese merchant bankers in southern Italy throughout the early modern era, when Spain and Genoa developed a symbiotic economic relationship, undergirded by a cultural and spiritual alliance. Analyzing early modern imperialism, migration, and trade, this book shows that the spiritual entente between the two nations was mainly informed by the religious division of the Mediterranean Sea. The Turkish threat in the Mediterranean reinforced the commitment of both the Spanish Crown and the Genoese merchants to Christianity. Spain's imperial strategy was reinforced by its willingness to acculturate to southern Italy through organized beneficence, representation at civic ceremonies, and spiritual guidance during religious holidays.
'This book’s greatest strength is its call for further examination of the importance of the Genoese diaspora in southern Italy and its insistence on a re-evaluation of both the governance of the Kingdom of Naples and the pivotal role of that kingdom in the Spanish Empire.'
Thomas Kirk Source: The Journal of Modern History
'The book shows convincingly that the symbiosis between the mercantile empire and the dynastic one ‘was not just a matter of economics, as the current historiography suggests, but was also underpinned and strengthened by powerful sociocultural ties'.'
Rolf Petri Source: European History Quarterly
Loading metrics...
* Views captured on Cambridge Core between #date#. This data will be updated every 24 hours.
Usage data cannot currently be displayed.
This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.
Accessibility compliance for the HTML of this book is currently unknown and may be updated in the future.