Transnational Patriotism in the Mediterranean, 1800-1850: Stammering the Nation

Transnational Patriotism in the Mediterranean explores the transition from empires to nation-states by narrating the biographies of intellectuals and political thinkers from the Ionian Islands. It rethinks the origins of Italian and Greek nationalisms and highlights the intellectual connection between Italy, Greece, and Russia. It re-establishes the lost link between the geopolitical contexts of western Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Balkans in the Age of Revolutions.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 272 pages
Publication date: 30 May 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Winner of the 2020 Mediterranean Seminar Best Book Prize
Winner of the Helen and Howard R. Marraro Prize of the Society for Italian Historical Studies
Winner of the 2019 Edmund Keely Book Prize

Transnational Patriotism in the Mediterranean explores the intricate process of transitioning from an era of empires to a world of nation-states through the captivating narratives of a diverse group of individuals. These individuals, born within empires but raised in the burgeoning context of nationalism, played a significant role in shaping the very vocabulary of nationalism itself. This is the story of a generation of intellectuals and political thinkers hailing from the Ionian Islands, who witnessed the collapse of the Republic of Venice and the dissolution of the shared cultural and political space of the Adriatic. Their contributions to the development of Italian and Greek nationalisms are profound.

By unearthing this forgotten intellectual realm, Transnational Patriotism in the Mediterranean unveils a world characterized by a rich tapestry of cultural, intellectual, and political affiliations that have been obscured by the conventional narrative of nation-state formation. It rethinks the origins of Italian and Greek nationalisms and states, highlighting the profound intellectual connections between the Italian peninsula, Greece, and Russia. It also reestablishes the lost link between the changing geopolitical contexts of western Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Balkans during the Age of Revolutions.

This book re-inscribes important intellectuals and political figures, often regarded as national fathers of Italy and Greece (such as Ugo Foscolo, Dionysios Solomos, Ioannis Kapodistrias, and Niccolò Tommaseo), within their regional and multicultural contexts. It demonstrates how nations emerged from an intermingling of ideas rather than a clash of ideologies. Transnational Patriotism in the Mediterranean offers a fresh perspective on the complex history of the Mediterranean region, shedding light on the intricate interplay of cultures, ideas, and political movements that have shaped the region's identity.

Weight: 426g
Dimension: 233 x 156 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780198885108