Gerarchie dei saperi di fronte ai disastri. Predicatori, ufficiali ed esperti nel Regno di Napoli nel secondo Seicento

A series of severe disasters struck the Kingdom of Naples in the second half of the 17th century. Different sectors of society responded differently to extraordinary tragic events of this kind, and their responses were determined by religious and symbolic factors as much as fiscal or economic ones or issues related to architecture or urban planning. The responses were not necessarily mutually exclusive, in principle; indeed, they were often complementary. Nevertheless, not infrequently they ended up creating friction and oppositions between the proponents of each measure. This paper examines conflicts and rivalries arising in the aftermath of some major disasters, including the Vesuvius eruptions of 1660 and 1694 and several earthquakes that caused extensive damage and casualties in Calabria, Samnium, Irpinia and Basilicata. By exploring how different public bodies intervened in emergency management and reconstruction, sometimes in competition with each other and with religious institutions, it sheds light on the political, jurisdictional and cultural strategies through which they attempted to legitimize their action.