Kingdom of Naples

Quick Facts: Who was Kingdom of Naples?

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Kingdom of Naples

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A major Italian state ruling southern Italy from 1282 to 1816, evolving through multiple dynasties.

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Origins & Early Life

The Kingdom of Naples, officially the Kingdom of Sicily citra Pharum or "on this side of the lighthouse", was a state that ruled the part of the Italian Peninsula south of the Papal States between 1282 and 1816. It was established by the War of the Sicilian Vespers (1282–1302). Until then, the island of Sicily and southern Italy had constituted the "Kingdom of Sicily". When the island of Sicily revolted and was conquered by the Crown of Aragon, it became a separate kingdom also called the Kingdom of Sicily. This left the Neapolitan mainland in the possession of Charles of Anjou who continued to use the name "Kingdom of Sicily".

Career & Major Achievements

Later, two competing lines of the Angevin family competed for the Kingdom of Naples in the late 14th century, which resulted in the murder of Joanna I at the hands of her successor, Charles III of Naples. Charles' daughter Joanna II adopted King Alfonso V of Aragon as heir, who would then unite Naples into his Aragonese dominions in 1442. As part of the Italian Wars, France briefly ruled the territory in 1494 and at the beginning of the 16th century; it then went to war with Spain over the kingdom in 1502, a conflict that ended in a victory for Ferdinand II, who was in full control of the kingdom by 1504. The Spanish held control of Naples throughout the 17th century where it remained an important source of economic and military power for the Spanish Crown. After the War of the Spanish Succession in the early 18th century, the possession of the kingdom again changed hands; the 1714 Treaty of Rastatt saw Naples given to Charles VI of the Austrian Habsburgs.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

However, Naples and Sicily were conquered by Charles, Duke of Parma (of the Spanish Bourbons) during the War of the Polish Succession in 1734; he was then installed as King of Naples and Sicily from 1735. In 1816, Naples formally unified with the island of Sicily to form the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The Kingdom of Naples was one of the largest and most important Italian states of its era. Its territory corresponded to the current Italian regions of Campania, Calabria, Apulia, Basilicata, Abruzzo, Molise, and also included some areas of today's southern and eastern Lazio. The term "Kingdom of Naples" is in near-universal use among historians, but it was not used officially by the government.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1282: 1282 Milestone — The Kingdom of Naples, officially the Kingdom of Sicily citra Pharum or "on this side of the lighthouse", was a state that ruled the part of the Italian Peninsula south of the Papal States between 1282 and 1816.
2. 1442: 1442 Milestone — Charles' daughter Joanna II adopted King Alfonso V of Aragon as heir, who would then unite Naples into his Aragonese dominions in 1442.
3. 1494: 1494 Milestone — As part of the Italian Wars, France briefly ruled the territory in 1494 and at the beginning of the 16th century; it then went to war with Spain over the kingdom in 1502, a conflict that ended in a victory for Ferdinand II, who was in full control of the kingdom by 1504.
4. 1714: 1714 Milestone — After the War of the Spanish Succession in the early 18th century, the possession of the kingdom again changed hands; the 1714 Treaty of Rastatt saw Naples given to Charles VI of the Austrian Habsburgs.
5. 1734: 1734 Milestone — However, Naples and Sicily were conquered by Charles, Duke of Parma (of the Spanish Bourbons) during the War of the Polish Succession in 1734; he was then installed as King of Naples and Sicily from 1735.
6. 1816: 1816 Milestone — In 1816, Naples formally unified with the island of Sicily to form the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Kingdom of Naples

True or False: “The Kingdom of Naples was officially known by the name 'Kingdom of Naples' throughout its entire existence.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): During much of its history, the ruling Angevins maintained the original title of the Kingdom of Sicily (Regnum Siciliae), even when referring to the mainland territory.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Louis IV, Holy Roman Emperor — Historical peer (Born in 1282) (1282): Holy Roman Emperor, last Bavarian king of Germany, known for conflicts with the Papacy.
• Adam Ferguson — Historical peer (Died in 1816) (1816): Scottish philosopher, historian, and 'father of modern sociology'.
• Arthur de Gobineau — Historical peer (Born in 1816) (1816): French diplomat and writer known for developing early theories of racial hierarchy and Nordicism.
• Cimabue — Historical peer (Died in 1302) (1302): Pioneering Italian painter who transitioned art from Byzantine to Proto-Renaissance styles.
• Edward IV — Historical peer (Born in 1442) (1442): Central figure in the Wars of the Roses, King of England from the House of York.
• Emperor Go-Tsuchimikado — Historical peer (Born in 1442) (1442): The 103rd Emperor of Japan, reigning during the tumultuous late Muromachi period.
• Domenico Ghirlandaio — Historical peer (Died in 1494) (1494): Master Florentine Renaissance painter known for vivid portraiture in religious scenes.
• François Rabelais — Historical peer (Born in 1494) (1494): Pioneering French Renaissance humanist, satirist, and scholar of the Gargantua cycle.
• Ahuitzotl — Historical peer (Died in 1502) (1502): Eighth Aztec ruler and Huey Tlatoani of Tenochtitlan, key to Aztec expansion.

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