Portugal, Spain, and Italy: Historical Unions and Current Political Entities
The question of whether Portugal, Spain, and Italy were ever parts of one another often leads to confusion between dynastic unions and political unifications. This article aims to clarify these concepts and describe the historical contexts in which these countries stood in closer proximity to one another.
Roman Empire: A United West
Under the Roman Empire (27 BC – 476 AD), the territories that eventually became Spain, Portugal, and Italy were indeed part of a unified empire. The Roman flag united these regions under Roman rule, showcasing the extent of Roman influence and the geographical proximity of the Iberian Peninsula to the Italian peninsula. The Western Roman Empire, also often referred to as Western civilization, encompassed a vast expanse that extended from modern-day Spain and Portugal to parts of what is now the UK and France.
The Moorish Rule in Iberia
The Moorish rule in large parts of what is now Spain and Portugal further blurs the lines between these territories. During this period (711-1492), the Moors, originally from North Africa, ruled these regions. But it's important to note that this period predated the formation of modern states and national identities in Europe.
The Formation of Modern States
The modern states of Italy, Spain, and Portugal did not emerge until much later. The process of unification and political consolidation for these nations began during the late 19th century.
Modern Italy
The unification of Italy (1861-1871) marked the formation of a single, unified Italian state. This was achieved under the House of Savoy, specifically the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia, which eventually grew to incorporate Venetia and the former Papal States, including Rome, by 1871 following the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71).
Modern Spain
Conversely, Spain only unified under a single kingdom in the 1870s. The Iberian Union, which existed from 1580 to 1640, was a political union between the Kingdoms of Spain and Portugal under the same Spanish Habsburg ruler, Philip II of Spain. Despite this, the modern historical and political context considers these territories as separate entities. The unification of Spain as a nation-state occurred in the late 19th century.
Modern Portugal
Contrary to Spain, Portugal remained an independent kingdom since 1139, with its unification as a sovereign state well before the unification of Italy in 1871. The Iberian Union period (1580-1640) saw a shared monarch between Spain and Portugal but not a political unification of the two states as contemporary nations.
Unions and Unifications
It's crucial to distinguish between dynastic unions and political unifications. A dynastic union refers to a shared monarchy where the same ruler has control over territories. A political union, on the other hand, refers to a formal political alliance or the creation of a single political entity. These concepts are often conflated, especially when discussing historical periods such as the Roman Empire and the Iberian Union. Modern historiography avoids the term 'dynastic union' to prevent such confusion.
In conclusion, while Spain, Portugal, and Italy have shared commonalities in their historical and cultural contexts, they have never been part of a single political entity. Their unifications and political developments occurred at different times, and it's important to clarify these distinctions in the study of European history.