How Do Italians Relate to Greeks and Spaniards?

The cultural and historical connections between Italy, Spain, and Greece are rich and complex. Traditionally, northern Italy is more aligned with Spanish influences, while southern Italy and Sicily are said to have more similarities with Greece. However, despite these regional distinctions, the overall similarities among Italians, Spaniards, and Greeks are undeniable.

Shared Historical Influences

The shared historical influences are significant. Ancient Greek colonization of parts of Sicily, Sardinia, southern Italy, and the Iberian Peninsula set the stage for later cultural exchanges. The Roman Republic and Empire further unified these regions, bringing them under a single rule and instilling a shared thread of cultural DNA that persists to this day.

Roman Empires and Dynasties

Emperors such as Trajan, Hadrian, and Marcus Aurelius, who were born in Hispania (modern-day Spain), exercised influence over Italy, Greece, and parts of Spain. This period saw the Greek-speaking Byzantine Empire reuniting various regions, including Italy and southern Spain, for a brief time. The Theodosian dynasty, also from Hispania, embodied this cultural heritage.

Aragonese Empire and Spanish Influence

During the formation of the Aragonese Empire, the Duchy of Neopatras and Duchy of Athens expanded to southern Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia. The Crown of Aragon, with its later union with the Kingdom of Castile, produced the Spanish Empire, which would become the first and largest Latin empire in world history. This empire further solidified the cultural ties between these regions.

Legacy of Aragonese Rule

The period from 1735 to 1825 saw the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, ruled by Spanish Bourbons, further embedding Spanish influence in Italy. Sicily, in particular, was ruled by Aragonese/Spanish nobility for over 500 years, while Sardinia was ruled for nearly 400 years. The influence extended to other Mediterranean islands such as Malta and Corsica.

Cultural and Linguistic Connections

Today, the cultural and linguistic connections remain strong. Sicily and southern Italy have preserved dialects like Griko, a Greek dialect, and Algherese, a Catalan dialect in Sardinia. In Greece, there are communities of Aromanians/Meglenites and Ladino, a Castilian dialect among Sephardic Jews in Thessaloniki. These linguistic remnants highlight the historical interactions between these populations.

Modern-Day Significances

The cultural ties extend to the present day. Greece's influence is evident in the cultural practices and traditions of the Italian Peninsula. Furthermore, the shared history is made concrete by the fact that millions of Italians have settled across Latin America, with Argentina boasting an estimated 62.5% of its population having Italian roots, making it one of the largest Italian-speaking countries outside of Italy.

In conclusion, while there are historical and regional distinctions, the shared heritage of Italians, Spaniards, and Greeks should not be understated. The profound connections in history, culture, and shared traditions remain a testament to the enduring influence of the Mediterranean region on each other.