The Bank of Naples and the struggle for regional power in Risorgimento Italy

Drawing on the history of Bank Naples, this article sheds new light power struggle between central government and Southern elites in Risorgimento Italy. Since unification, has been portrayed as archetypal victim a predatory (Northern) Italian government. This article, by deconstructing myth surrounding Bank, shows how characterisation was carefully crafted its Neapolitan management. Exploiting to fullest political economic role they had acquired under aegis constitutional government, Bank's governors appropriated invested with meanings ideals further cause well their own. Constantly shifting focus from finance politics, posed champions those municipal, regional or even national liberties either unable unwilling defend. narrative provided an ideological smokescreen obscuring partly private nature confrontation reinforced view South victimised state still currency today.