Review

Exploring the Shadows: A Review of Amedeo Feniello’s “Naples 1343”

In the end, Naples 1343: The Unexpected Origins of the Mafia by Amedeo Feniello is a book that stirs both intrigue and skepticism.

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When diving into the intricate web of organized crime in Italy, few works provide as much depth and historical context as Amedeo Feniello’s Naples 1343: The Unexpected Origins of the Mafia. As someone fascinated by the origins and evolution of criminal organizations, this book offered me a compelling journey through time, shedding light on the roots of the infamous Camorra. Here’s my take on Feniello’s exploration of Naples’ dark past and its connections to present-day organized crime.

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A Prelude: Understanding the Modern Camorra

Before delving into Feniello’s historical analysis, it’s essential to understand the contemporary landscape of the Camorra. Roberto Saviano’s Gomorrah: A Personal Journey into the Violent International Empire of Naples’ Organized Crime System serves as a modern touchstone for anyone interested in the Camorra. Saviano, often dubbed ‘Italy’s Salman Rushdie’, provides a harrowing account of the Camorra’s pervasive influence in Naples and beyond. His vivid descriptions of a city where “savagery is interwoven with commerce” set the stage for Feniello’s historical inquiry.

Saviano’s work focuses on the present dangers posed by the Camorra, highlighting their ongoing activities such as drug trafficking, political infiltration, and brutal enforcement tactics. His personal connection to the subject matter, underscored by his own need for police protection following death threats, adds a poignant layer to his narrative. While Saviano illuminates the current state of the Camorra, Feniello takes us back to explore how such an organization could emerge from the tumultuous history of Naples.

Bridging the Centuries: From 2005 to 1343

Feniello’s Naples 1343 is born out of a personal tragedy that shook him to his core. In 2005, just a year before Saviano went into hiding, the Camorra executed three young men at the gates of the Neapolitan school where Feniello worked as a teacher. This brutal event ignited his quest to uncover the origins of such relentless violence and organized crime in Naples.

The book seeks to establish a connection between this 2005 tragedy and an event from 1343, where a Neapolitan galley attacked a Genoese cargo ship. The ship’s commander was killed, and its valuable cargo—grains and other foodstuffs intended for the northern regions—was seized, exacerbating famine conditions in the south. Feniello posits that this 14th-century act of piracy was orchestrated by Neapolitan nobles, possibly with the tacit approval of authorities, and suggests that it laid the groundwork for the rise of modern criminal clans like the Camorra.

The Quest for Historical Origins

Feniello’s central thesis revolves around the idea that the Camorra’s origins are deeply rooted in the socio-political and economic upheavals of medieval Naples. By examining the 1343 incident, he argues that organized crime was not an external imposition but rather a product of internal strife and the corrupt practices of the Neapolitan elite. This perspective is both intriguing and plausible, offering a fresh lens through which to view the enduring presence of the Camorra in Naples.

However, while Feniello’s conclusions are compelling, his methodology raises some red flags. The foundation of his argument rests on sources that Feniello himself acknowledges are dubious, much like the Camorra he seeks to understand. This inconsistency undermines the book’s credibility, making it difficult to fully trust his historical narrative.

Scrutinizing the Sources

One of the most significant criticisms of Naples 1343 lies in its handling of sources. Feniello emphasizes the importance of archival research, yet his bibliography lacks any unpublished archival documents. Instead, he relies on secondary sources that may not provide the robust evidence needed to support his claims.

For instance, the attack on the Genoese ship is discussed in a section titled ‘Chronicles of 1343’, where Feniello cites three sources. The first is the Genoese Annals by Giorgio and Giovanni Stella, composed around 50 years after the event. While near-contemporary, these annals are not strictly contemporaneous, and their reliability is questionable given the time gap. The second source is a 1906 publication that indirectly references an 18th-century manuscript by Luca Giovanni d’Alitto. The evidential value of this manuscript is dubious, as it was compiled four centuries after the event, and Feniello fails to clarify the original sources that d’Alitto might have used.

The third source is particularly problematic. Feniello mentions an 1889 record by Matteo Camera but omits critical details about the source’s origins. This omission leads to confusion and potential misinterpretation, as readers might mistakenly assume that Camera himself authored the 1889 description of the 1343 ship attack, rather than it being an extract from Niccolò d’Alife’s Secret Histories.

This selective presentation of sources not only weakens Feniello’s argument but also casts doubt on his scholarly rigor. Without transparent and reliable sources, the historical connections he draws remain speculative at best.

Structural Weaknesses: The Faint Framework

Another drawback of Feniello’s book is its structural reliance on the 1343 ship attack as the central narrative thread. Given that little is known about this event, the reader is left yearning for more details and context. After introducing the incident early on, Feniello provides only scant information, leaving the story hanging unresolved. The final chapter offers a mere mention that the event “simply vanished from sight a few days later,” which feels anti-climactic and unfulfilling.

This structural weakness detracts from the overall impact of the book. A stronger, more detailed exploration of the 1343 event would have provided a firmer foundation for Feniello’s thesis, making his historical connections more convincing and engaging.

Lack of Engagement with Existing Historiography

Naples 1343 also suffers from a lack of engagement with existing historiography on the origins of organized crime. Feniello does not discuss previous works or historiographical debates that could have contextualized his research within the broader academic discourse. This omission makes it difficult to assess how his interpretation aligns or diverges from other historians’ views.

Moreover, Feniello fails to address the extensive literature on the history of violence, which is crucial for understanding the societal norms and conditions that may have fostered organized crime. While some historians argue that medieval society was inherently violent, others contend that the scarcity of sources makes it challenging to accurately measure crime rates. By not engaging with these debates, Feniello misses an opportunity to strengthen his argument and situate his work within ongoing scholarly conversations.

The Art of Storytelling: A Silver Lining

Despite its methodological flaws, Naples 1343 is undeniably a compelling read, thanks to Feniello’s talent as a storyteller. The book vividly portrays the daily life and struggles of medieval Neapolitans, bringing to life the famines, family feuds, brigands, local politics, and the chaotic world of knights and city quarters. These rich narratives create a tapestry that immerses the reader in the historical context, making the harsh realities of medieval Naples palpable.

Through these stories, Feniello effectively illustrates his claim that “Neapolitan society was a universe in which quarrelsomeness was chronic and not episodic.” This portrayal adds depth to his analysis, providing a human dimension to the socio-political dynamics that may have contributed to the rise of organized crime.

Personal Reflections: Balancing Skepticism and Appreciation

Reading Naples 1343 left me with mixed feelings. On one hand, Feniello’s historical exploration offers valuable insights into the potential origins of the Camorra, challenging the notion that such criminal organizations are solely products of modern socio-economic conditions. On the other hand, the book’s reliance on questionable sources and its structural shortcomings make it difficult to fully endorse its conclusions.

For readers who approach the book with a critical eye, recognizing the limitations in Feniello’s research, Naples 1343 can still be rewarding. It opens windows onto the political and economic world of southern Italy in the Middle Ages, providing thought-provoking arguments that connect medieval violence to the activities of today’s criminal clans. However, those seeking a rigorous academic analysis might find the book lacking in scholarly depth and methodological precision.

Conclusion: A Worthwhile, If Flawed, Exploration

In the end, Naples 1343: The Unexpected Origins of the Mafia by Amedeo Feniello is a book that stirs both intrigue and skepticism. While its storytelling prowess and historical insights make it an engaging read, its methodological inconsistencies and lack of engagement with existing historiography temper its impact. For enthusiasts of organized crime history and those interested in the socio-political fabric of medieval Naples, Feniello’s work offers a fascinating, albeit imperfect, exploration of the Camorra’s roots.

As I closed the final chapter, I couldn’t help but ponder the cyclical nature of violence and power. Whether Feniello’s connections between the 14th-century ship attack and the modern Camorra hold up under scrutiny, they undeniably prompt important questions about the enduring legacy of organized crime in Naples. In a city long marked by conflict and resilience, understanding its past remains crucial for envisioning a future free from the shadows of its criminal underbelly.

Naples 1343 serves as a reminder that the seeds of today’s problems are often sown in the tumultuous soils of history. Despite its flaws, Feniello’s attempt to trace the Camorra’s origins back to medieval Naples is a commendable effort that invites further research and discussion. For anyone looking to delve deeper into the history of the Mafia, this book is a valuable, if imperfect, addition to the conversation.

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