Papal States, 1815–70
The Papal States in 1815 (left) and at their annexation by Italy in 1870.
Papal States
historical region, Italy
Also known as: Church States, Republic of Saint Peter, Stati Della Chiesa, Stati Pontifici, Stati della Chiesa
Quick Facts
- Also called:
- Republic of Saint Peter or Church States
- Italian:
- Stati Pontifici or Stati della Chiesa
- Date:
- 756 - 1870
- Major Events:
- Congress of Vienna
- Sack of Rome
- Treaty of Amiens
- Related Places:
- Italy
- Lazio
- Emilia-Romagna
- Umbria
- Marche
Papal States, territories of central Italy over which the pope had sovereignty from 756 to 1870. Included were the modern Italian regions of Lazio (Latium), Umbria, and Marche and part of Emilia-Romagna, though the extent of the territory, along with the degree of papal control, varied over the centuries. As early as the 4th century, the popes had acquired considerable property around Rome (called the Patrimony of St. Peter). From the 5th century, with the breakdown of Roman imperial authority in the West, the popes’ influence in central Italy increased as the people of the area relied on them for ...(100 of 1531 words)