two sicilies
Very LowHistorical/Academic
Definition
Meaning
A historical kingdom comprising southern Italy and Sicily, existing from 1816 until its unification into the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.
Refers to the geopolitical entity, its cultural heritage, and historical significance, often used in historical and political discourse about Italian unification.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Always capitalised; functions as a proper noun referring to a specific state. Used almost exclusively in historical contexts.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Both varieties treat it as a historical proper noun.
Connotations
Neutral historical descriptor in both varieties.
Frequency
Extremely low and specialised in both, appearing only in relevant historical texts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[The] Two Sicilies [was/verb][In] the Two SiciliesVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in historical, political science, and Italian studies texts discussing the Risorgimento.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would only appear in detailed historical discussion.
Technical
A precise term in historical cartography and political history.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- Garibaldi's forces annexed the Two Sicilies in 1860.
American English
- The rebellion sought to overthrow the Two Sicilies.
adverb
British English
- [Not applicable as a standard adverb]
American English
- [Not applicable as a standard adverb]
adjective
British English
- The Two Sicilies economy was largely agrarian.
American English
- Two Sicilies coinage is collected by numismatists.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The Two Sicilies was in Italy.
- Naples was the capital of the Two Sicilies.
- The unification of Italy ended the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
- Historians debate the economic policies of the Bourbon monarchy in the Two Sicilies prior to the Risorgimento.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Two' for the two parts (Sicily + mainland Naples); 'Sicilies' sounds like 'sillies' but remember it's a serious historical kingdom.
Conceptual Metaphor
A STATE IS A CONTAINER (for territory, people, and culture).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid literal translation ('Две Сицилии'). It is a fixed proper name. Use the established historical term 'Королевство Обеих Сицилий'.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect capitalisation ('two Sicilies')
- Using a singular verb ('Two Sicilies was...' is correct as it refers to a single kingdom).
Practice
Quiz
What modern country did the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies occupy?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
The name originated from the historical claim of the Norman and Angevin rulers to the Kingdom of Sicily, which later split into the island of Sicily and the mainland Kingdom of Naples, both theoretically under the same crown.
It was formally annexed to the new Kingdom of Italy in 1861 following the Expedition of the Thousand led by Giuseppe Garibaldi.
No, it is purely a historical term. Modern references are to the regions of southern Italy, such as Sicily, Campania, etc.
Singular, as it refers to a single political entity (the Kingdom). Example: 'The Two Sicilies was a large state.'