Iapyges (Iapygians): An ancient Indo-European people of Illyrian origin related to the Messapii, who inhabited the heel of Italy prior to their absorption by the Romans. The Messapii can, in fact, be considered the southernmost Iapygian tribe.
Idrisi (sometimes Edrisi), Abu Abdullah Mohammed ben Mohammed: (b. Spain, 1099). Muslim scholar and geographer. He spent many years at the court of the Norman king Roger II at Palermo where, in c1150, he created a giant silver globe of the world showing the latest geographical knowledge to that time. He also composed an accompanying volume in Arabic. From the description of this globe and volume, it appears that Idrisi had knowledge of the African lakes which formed the sources of the Nile.
Ikkos: an athlete of ancient Taras. He was victor in the Pentathlon at the Olympian Games in 444 BC.
Inarime: Ancient name for Ischia.
Innocent I, St.: Pope. (rDec 22, 401-March 12, 417).
Innocent II: Pope. (rFeb 14, 1130-Sept 24, 1143).
Innocent III: Pope. (rJan 8, 1198-July 16, 1216).
Innocent IV: Pope. (rJune 25, 1243- Dec 7, 1254).
Innocent V: Pope. (rJan 21-June 22, 1276).
Innocent VI: Pope. (rDec 18, 1352-Sept 12, 1362).
Innocent VII: Pope. (rOct 17, 1404-Nov 6, 1406).
Innocent VIII: Pope. (rAug 29, 1484-July 25, July 25, 1492).
Innocent IX: Pope. (rOct 29-Dec 30, 1591).
Innocent X: Pope. (rSept 15, 1644-Jan 7, 1655).
Innocent XI: Pope. (rSept 21, 1676-Aug 11/12, 1689).
Innocent XII: (original name: Antonio Pignatelli del Rastrello). (b. March 13, 1616, in Spinazzola; d. Sept. 27, 1700, Rome). Pope (rJuly 12, 1691- Sept 27, 1700). Having served as Apostolic Nuncio to Poland and Austria, he became a cardinal in 1681. He served as archbishop of Lecce in 1671 and archbishop of Naples (1686-1691) before being elected pope in 1691.
Innocent XIII: Pope. (rMay 8, 1721-Mar. 7, 1724).
Inscripition Painter: (fl. 570 BC – 530 BC). Vase-Painter. A Greek artist centered at Rhegion (modern Reggio di Calabria). He was the founder and leading artist of the Chalcidian School of vase-painting. Working in the black-figure technique, the Inscription Painter decorated mostly large vases: amphorai, hydriai, and kraters. He was very careful to coordinate the shape of the vase with its decoration. His style is marked by the use of large areas of added red and white, little inner detail on the figures, and a balance of light and dark areas. His style was influenced by those of Athens, Corinth, and Ionian Greece. His name derives from the inscriptions he added to his works.
Intenente: A provincial governor under the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. These officials were appointed by the king and served for a period of three years. The Indendente exercised power over the civil, financial, and military administration of his province. Supporting the Intenente was a secretary and a council, although the number of councilors depended on the importance of the province.: first class (Napoli, Terra di Lavoro, Principato Citra): 5 members; second class (Principato Ultra, Basilicata, Capitanata, Terra di Bari, Terra d’Otranto, Calabria Citra, Calabria Ultra II): 4 members; third class (Calabria Ultra I, Molise, Abruzzi): 3 members.
Interamia Praetutiorum: Ancient name for Teramo. Located in southern Picenum, at the confluence of the rivers Vezzola and Tordino, it was originally founded by the Praetutii.
Introdacqua (AQ): A commune in the province of L‘Aquila. Population: 2,027 (2006e).
investiture: the appointment of bishops and archbishops in the Roman Catholic Church.
Iolaus: A figure in ancient Greek mythology, he was a kinsman and companion of Heracles. He is usually identified asbeing the son of Iphicles, the half-brother of Heracles. A hero-cult developed around Iolaus at Thebes and in mainland Greece which was brought west by Greek colonists. Cult centers to Iolaus have been identified in Sardinia and Sicily.
Ionadi (VV): A commune in the province of Vibo Valentia.
Iron Age: Archaeological period, dating in Sicily from 900 to 734 BC.
Irsina (MT): A commune in the province of Matera. Population: 5,484 (2006e).
Isca sullo Ionio (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 1,571 (2006e).
Ischia: (anc. Aenaria, Pithekoussai, Pithecusa, Inarime) (NA). An island is situated off the coast of Campania, at the NW end of the Gulf of Naples. The earliest inhabitants on the island established themselves during the Bronze Age. A settlement existed on Mt. Epomaeus which traded with the Mycenaeans. The earliest Greek colony in Italy was established here by settlers from Eretria and Chalkis in the early 8th Century BC. Soon afterwards Greeks from this colony founded Kyme (Cumae) on the mainland (which, in turn, founded Neapolis [Naples]). Both of these settlements were ideally placed to facilitate trade with the Etruscans located to the north. There have been a number theories related to the origins of Ischia’s ancient names. Pliny explained that the Greek name Pithekoussai (Pithecusa) derived from the local clay deposits, while the Latin name Aenaria was connected with the story of Aeneas’s landing. It has also been speculated that the latter name may have derived from the abundant copper (Lat. aeneus= “made of copper”) from there. Eventually the Greek colony on the island was abandoned because of seismic and volcanic dangers. It eventually came under the control of the Greek city of Neapolis (Naples) and became a noted center for ceramics, fruit and fine wine. The seismic/volcanic nature of the island has led to it sometimes being identified with Homer’s land of the Arimi, the site where the monstrous Typhon (Typhoeus) lies buried.
Ischia (Na): A commune in the province of Napoli.
Ischia, Diocese of:
Suffragans:
Metropolitan: Napoli.
Conference Region: Campania
Area: 46 km²/ mi²
Total Population: 46,702
Catholic Population:
Total Priests: 46(Diocesan: 35; Religious: 11)
Permanent Deacons: 5
Male Religious:
Female Religious:
Parishes: 25
History:
Ischitella (FG): A commune in the province of Foggia. Population: 4,427 (2006e).
Ischomachos (or Isomachos): An athlete of ancient Kroton. He was victor in the Stadion at the Olympian Games in 508 BC and 504 BC.
Iscla: Medieval name for Ischia.
Isernia, Province of: A province in the region of Molise. Population: 89,577 (2006e).
Isernia (IS): A city and provincial capital of the province of Isernia, in Molise. It situated 23 miles W of Campobasso on the west slope of the Apennines. Population: 21,608 (2006e).
Isernia-Venafro, Diocese of: A diocese in the ecclesiastical region of Abruzzo-Molise.
Islam in Italy: Although in medieval times, the vast majority of Muslims in Italy resided in the southern part of the country, only about 20% of the country’s million or so Muslims now reside there. The majority of Muslims in modern Italy are of North African origin. In 1992 there were approximately 304,000 Muslim immigrants in Italy, comprising about 29% of the total legal immigrant population. By the end of 1999, the Italian Ministry of Interior estimated that the Immigrant Muslim population had grown to between 650,000 and 700,000, of which 436,000 had legal status. Government statistics estimated that about 34% of the foreign population of Italy at the beginning of 2005 were Muslim, totaling between 960,000 and 1,030,000 (1.4% of the total Italian population.)
Isnello (PA): A commune in the province of Palermo.
Isola del Gran Sasso d’ltalia (TE): A commune in the province of Teramo.
Isola delle Femmine (PA): A commune in the province of Palermo.
Isola di Capo Rizzuto (KR): A commune in the province of Crotone. Population: 14,461 (2006e).
Isole Tremiti (FG): A commune in the province of Foggia. Population: 417 (2006e).
Isomachos: See Ischomachos.
Ispani (SA): A commune in the province of Salerno.
Ispica (RG): A commune in the province of Ragusa.
Itala (ME): A commune in the province of Messina.
Italian Emigration and Immigration:
Italian Emigration by Region
|
Region |
1883 |
1884 |
1885 |
1886 |
1887 |
1906 |
1907 |
1908 |
1911 |
1913 |
|
Piedmont |
52,335 |
78,663 | ||||||||
|
Liguria |
7,052 |
9,428 | ||||||||
|
Lombardy |
65,069 |
87,133 | ||||||||
|
Venetia |
97,588 |
123,853 | ||||||||
|
No. Italy |
222,044 |
299,077 | ||||||||
|
Emilia |
32,459 |
39,134 | ||||||||
|
Tuscany |
37,442 |
45,599 | ||||||||
|
Marches |
17,232 |
32,069 | ||||||||
|
Umbria |
12,098 |
17,851 | ||||||||
|
Latium |
9,121 |
25,962 | ||||||||
|
Cent. Italy |
108,352 |
160,615 | ||||||||
|
Abruzzi e Molise |
32,025 |
62,038 | ||||||||
|
Campania |
54,149 |
78,633 | ||||||||
|
Apulia |
21,318 |
41,837 | ||||||||
|
Basilicata |
10,426 |
16,153 | ||||||||
|
Calabria |
30,382 |
55,910 | ||||||||
|
Sicily |
50,789 |
146,061 | ||||||||
|
Sardinia |
5,359 |
12,274 | ||||||||
|
So. Italy |
203,448 |
412,906 | ||||||||
|
Total Italy |
169,101 |
147,017 |
157,193 |
167,829 |
215,665 |
787,977 |
704,675 |
486,674 |
533,844 |
872,598 |
Source: Rothwell. Foerster. The Italian Emigration of Our Times. 1924/1969; The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 8
Destination of Italian Emigrants
|
1887 |
1906 |
1907 |
1908 | |
|
Europe |
82,474 | |||
|
Europe & Mediterranean |
276,042 |
288,774 |
248,101 | |
|
Egypt |
867 | |||
|
Tunis |
633 | |||
|
Algeria |
1,375 | |||
|
Transoceanic |
511,935 |
415,901 |
238,573 | |
|
U.S. & Canada |
38,853 | |||
|
Argentine Republic, |
54,499 | |||
|
Brazil & rest of South |
33,003 | |||
|
South America (w/o |
3,108 | |||
|
Asia, Africa, Oceania |
853 | |||
|
Total # Emigrants |
215,665 |
787,977 |
704,675 |
486,674 |
|
Source: Appleton’s Annual Cyclopedia 1888; The Catholic Encyclopedia Vol. 8. |
Italian Immigration to the United States
|
1831-1870 |
25,082 |
|
1870-1880 |
55,759 |
|
1880-1890 |
307,309 |
|
1890 |
52,093 |
|
1891 |
76,055 |
|
1892 |
62,137 |
|
1893 |
72,916 |
|
1894 |
43,967 |
|
1895 |
36,961 |
|
1896 |
68,060 |
|
1897 |
59,431 |
|
1898 |
58,613 |
|
1899 |
77,419 |
|
1900 |
100,135 |
|
1901 |
135,996 |
|
1902 |
178,375 |
|
1903 |
230,622 |
|
1904 |
193,296 |
|
1905 |
221,479 |
|
1906 |
273,120 |
|
1907 |
285,731 |
|
1908 |
128,503 |
|
Total: 1831-1908 |
2,743,059 |
|
Source: The Catholic Encyclopedia |
Italian-Americans: According to the National Italian American Foundation (www.niaf.org/research/contribution.demographic/ consulted 08/03/06) about 15% of the American population was of Italian ancestry. This meant that there were (1990) nearly 15 million Americans of full Italian background. If those with only partial Italian ancestry were considered, the number rose to c26 million. The states with the highest number of Italian Americans were (according to the 1990 US census): California: 1,500,000.Connecticut 650,000.Massachusetts 845,000.New Jersey 1,500,000.New York 2,900,000.Pennsylvania 1,400,000.Rhode Island 200,000.Florida (800,000).Illinois (730,000).Ohio (640,000).Michigan (412,000).Texas (314,000).Maryland (253,000).
According to the records of the United States Immigration Bureau, between 1821 and 1892, 526,749 Italians immigrated to the U.S. Over the subsequent 6 years (1893 to 1899), the number of Italian arrivals increased to 417,367.
Italian-Americans and Italians, Prejudice against
Considerable prejudice was shown towards Italian immigrants and their descendants in much of the United States during much of the 20th Century. Several derogatory terms came into use to refer to the immigrants and their offspring.
Derogatory terms used against Italians and Italian Americans
(Source: The Racial Slur Index. www.rsdb.org/)
(Warning: Some readers may find terms in this table to be offensive. This list is added for educational purposes. It is meant to show the extent of prejudice against Italian immigrants to America and to Americans of Italian descent.)
|
Term |
Source |
|
Black Dagos |
Derived from the belief that some Sicilians are of partly Black African origins. |
|
Bologna |
Derives from the Italian city Bologna. |
|
Brown Pants/Shirts |
A derogatory term coined during World War II by American Gis to refer to Italian soldiers. It was claimed that the Italians were such cowards that they soiled themselves from fear in battle. |
|
Burnt Pizza |
Meant to refer to the dark-skinned Italians. |
|
Calzone |
Italian food |
|
Chop |
A person of mixed Chinese-Italian blood (Chink+Wop). |
|
Dago |
Originally coming from Spain. “Diego” was a common name in Italy at the time this slang was first used. |
|
Dagowop |
A combination of Dago and Wop. |
|
Eggplant |
Often used to imply that Italians, especially of darker complexion, were of African blood. |
|
Eggplant- |
A person of mixed African-Italian blood. |
|
Euro |
A term used to refer to all Europeans, including Italians. Usually used as a pejorative. |
|
Fonzie |
A term originating from the popular character of that name on the Happy Days TV show. |
|
Garlic Bread |
Derived from the tasty Garlic flavored bread favorite among Italians. |
|
Garlic Breadth |
Referring to the use of garlic in Italian cuisine. |
|
Geep |
From Pinnochio’s “father” Gepetto. |
|
Gina |
Common Italian name. |
|
Ginny |
In reference to popular Italian garb Ginny T’s, now more commonly known as wife beater shirts. |
|
Gino |
Common Italian name. |
|
Ginzo |
Derives from the word Guinea. |
|
Goombah |
From the Italian word “Compare” (pronounced ‘cumpa’) meaning “a close friend.” Considered a slur when used by non-Italians to describe an Italian male. |
|
Grape-Smasher |
Refers to the Italian wine-making practice of smashing grapes with their feet. |
|
Grape-Stomper |
Refers to the Italian wine-making practice of smashing grapes with their feet. |
|
Grease Ball/Bag |
Multiple origins. The most common being that the Italian people supposedly have an abnormally oily dermis and epidermis. Sometimes called a Greaser. |
|
Guidette |
Feminine version of Guido. |
|
Guido |
Northern term referring to Italians who try to portray a mafia mentality. Feminine version is Guidette. |
|
Guinea Pig |
An overweight Italian |
|
Guinea/Ginney |
Pronounced “gi-nee.” Originally used in the 1740s as “Guinea Negro,” it referred to any Black or any person of mixed ancestry. By the 1890s it was being applied to Italians—probably because of their darker complexion in comparison to northern Europeans. By 1911 the term began being applied to Hispanics, although the reference to Italians is the most common. Derived from Sicilian immigrants who paid in Italian currency, Guineas. |
|
Hightalian |
A derogatory term for upper-class, wealthy, snobbish Italians. |
|
Hothead |
Derived from the belief that Italians had short, violent tempers. |
|
I-Tie |
A corruption of the word “Italian.” |
|
IROC |
Italian Retards Out Crusing. A term popular especially popular in the Eastern United States. |
|
Jabonee |
A term used by native-born Italian Americans in reference to newly arrived Italian immigrants, who could not speak English. |
|
Jewop |
A person of mixed Jewish-Italian blood (Jew+Wop). |
|
Katzenfresser |
An anti-Italian slur of German origin meaning “cat-eater.” |
|
Laposta |
Italian slang for lazy person with a small penis. |
|
Luigi |
From a character in a popular video game. Used to refer to a tall, thin Italian. (see Mario). |
|
Macaroni |
Refers to the popular Italian pasta. |
|
Makaronifresser |
An anti-Italian slur of German origin meaning “macaroni-eater.” The term is particularly rude because the term essen , used in reference to a human eater, is replaced with fressen, used in connection with animals. |
|
Mario |
From a character in a popular video game. Used to refer to a fat Italian. (see Luigi). |
|
McWop |
A person of mixed Irish-Italian blood (Mick+Wop). |
|
Meatball |
A reference to Italian cuisine. |
|
Med Wop |
A combination of Mediterranean and Wop. |
|
Melanzana |
From the Italian word for Eggplant. Used to refer to a person of dark complexion. |
|
Minglia |
A derogatory term derived from the Sicilian dialect word for “dick.” |
|
Moolie |
A short form of Melanzane. |
|
Moolignon |
A variation of Melanzane. Possibly a combination of Moolie and hooligan. |
|
PIGS |
Portuguese+Italian+Greek+Spanish. Used to refer principally to Mediterranean males because of so-called “piggish” behavior towards women. |
|
Pizzabagel |
A person of mixed Jewish-Italian blood. Especially popular in New York. |
|
Pizza Nigger |
A pejorative derived from the belief that many Italian are of Black African origins. |
|
Polentone |
A term used by southern Italians for Northern ItaliansIt refers to the Northern Italian cuisine called polenta which the southerners considered an inferior dish. |
|
Portawop |
A person of mixed Portuguese-Italian blood. |
|
Provolone |
Derives from provolone cheese. Used for a Italian with “cheesy” tastes. |
|
Ragu |
A term derived from the word meaning pasta sauce. |
|
Rasta Fazoul |
A person of mixed Jamaican-Italian blood. (Pasta+Rastafarian) |
|
Rizzo |
A pejorative which originated from advertisements for Rizzo brand pasta sauce placed on dumpsters. |
|
Salami |
Derives from the belief that Italians have a body odor resembling salami. |
|
Spaghetti vendor |
Self-explanatory. |
|
Spaghetti-Slurper |
Derives from the popular Italian pasta dish. |
|
Spaghetti-Twister |
Derives from the popular Italian pasta dish. |
|
Spaghetto |
A term for an Italian who acts “Black.” |
|
Spic |
A term originally attached to those of Hispanic origins. By the late 19th century, it had been extended towards Italians as well. |
|
Spider |
A term for Italian-American inspired by a character named Spider in the movie “Goodfellas.” |
|
Stallion |
Derives from the movie Rocky, Stallion being the nickname of the title character. |
|
Swap |
A person of mixed Mexican-Italian blood. (Spic+Wop) |
|
Terrone |
A term applied to southern Italians. It derives from the Italian word Terra = land, earth. A “terrone” was a person who worked the earth, i.e. a peasant. |
|
Tony |
Derived from the tag attached to the luggage of poor Italian immigrants to America (TO NY = to New York). |
|
Tony Soprano |
A term deriving from the name of a character in the television show “The Sopranos”. It is meant to imply that all Italian-Americans are connected to the mafia. |
|
Uni-brow |
A term of derision derived from the belief that both Greeks and Italians have this physical trait. |
|
Wallione |
A term of friendship between Italians, but considered to be derogatory when used by a non-Italian. |
|
Whopper |
A variation of Wop. |
|
Won Ton Parmesan |
A person of mixed Asian-Italian blood. |
|
Wonder Bread Wop |
A term used by Italians for an Italian who rejected his heritage in favor of “WASP” American culture. |
|
WOP |
A term of disputed origins. According to one belief it means “Without Papers” or “Without Official Papers”, and is meant to imply that the Italian immigrants arrived illegally. Another theory is that it meant “Working On Pavement” referring to immigrants working as street vendors or outdoor workers. A third theory is that it is a corruption of the Neapolitan dialect word “guappo” (pronounced “woppo”) meaning to a criminal or strong bully. |
|
Wopalock |
A person of mixed Polish-Italian blood. (Wop+Polock) |
|
Wopski |
A person of mixed Polish-Italian blood. |
|
Zip |
A term used by native-born Italian-Americans for new Italian immigrants because they spoke their mother tongue so quickly. |
Italica Romaea Sebasta Olympia (or Isolympia): A competitive festival of games founded by the Roman Emperor Augustus in AD 2. Styled after the more famous Olympic Games of Greece, this Neapolitan festival appears to have remained a local affair until the time of Emperor Claudius (rAD 41-54). Claudius gave them full imperial recognition and support, thus making them far more attractive to the major athletes from throughout the Roman Empire. As a result it soon developed into one of the major festivals of its kind. Held every four years in August, there is evidence that the games survived well into the 4th Century. Competitions included athletic events (including footraces, one of which was for girls), as well as dramatic and musical events. Some events were restricted exclusively to citizens Often cash prizes were awards as well as symbolic trophies. This festival was the only one known in which competitors were paid living expenses: 1 drachma per day for the first half of the games and 2 or 3 drachmas for the 2nd half.
A damaged Roman Era inscription (IvO [Inschriften von Olympia]56.11-28) found at Olympia sheads a little light on the Neapolitan games, which it referred to the “Italic isOlympic games”, males aged seventeen to twenty years participated in boys’ category. Those older could compete at the mens’ level.
Italiotes: A name given to the pre-Roman Greek-speaking inhabitants of the Italian peninsula, between Neapolis and Sicily (people there are still sometimes, albeit very rarely, referred to as Italiotes). During the Roman Republic and the Roman Empire, the Italiotes were distinguished from the non-Greek Italic inhabitants of southern Italy.