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Encyclopedia of Religion entry forCarbonariThe word means literally " charcoal-burners " or " colliers." It was adopted as the name of a secret society, which was founded in the Abruzzi in 180S, the name being due to the fact that there were many charcoal-burners in that part of Italy. In organizing the society, and arranging its ceremonial, the founders seem to have taken suggestions from freemasonry and Christianity. It had lodges, mystic rites of initiation, and four grades of members. In 1815 the Carbonari were a political force of considerable power and significance. Its members afterwards included the Italian poet Silvio Pellico (1788-1854), Lord Byron (1788-1824), and Guiseppe (Joseph) Mazzini (1805-1872). Matzzini, however, from the first seems to have shown dissatisfaction with the organization of the Carbonari. He was amused at their ceremonies of affiliation, and " reflected with surprise and distrust that the oath which had been administered to him was a mere formula of obedience, containing nothing as to the aim to be reached it was war to the Government, nothing more." The association which he himself founded later seems to have been intended to be an improvement upon that of the Carbonari. This new association was called " Young Italy." It was followed by another called "Young Europe." Cp. PACT OF FRATERNITY. See C. W. Heckethorn, Secret Societies of All Ages, 1874; and Chambers‘ Encycl. citations: Encyc. of Rel., Canney
article created 2006-04-12 , last updated 2006-04-12 |
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