Istoria civile del Regno di Napoli, v. 9

The volume explores early 17th‑century Naples under Philip III, a youthful king who left much of the administration to his ministers and viceroys. It introduces the energetic Count of Lemos, whose arrival in 1599 sparked a wave of public works while he navigated the complex politics of the Spanish‑held kingdom. Listeners will hear vivid portraits of court intrigue, the challenges of governing a realm still reeling from costly wars, and the lingering influence of the late king’s ambitions.

The narrative then turns to a daring conspiracy in Calabria, led by the fiery Dominican Tommaso Campanella. After suffering the Inquisition’s harsh treatment in Rome, Campanella returns to his native Stilo to rally monks, villagers, and even bandits around a vision of liberty and a republican Calabria. The account follows his charismatic preaching, the recruitment of allies such as Fr. Dionisio Ponzio, and the mounting tension as he prepares to ignite rebellion against Spanish authority.