Religione e politica nel pensiero di Melchiorre Gioia tra la prima e la seconda Cisalpina

Melchiorre Gioia was undoubtedly one of the most representative and active interpreters of Italian cultural life in the Napoleonic age for his capacity to interpret the mood of the public opinion. The essay discusses the relationship between religion and politics emerging from his writings published during the first and second Cisalpine Republic - a theme that has not been sufficiently examined by historiography. This analysis argues that Gioia's uncertainties and antinomies can be explained through the complexity of a troubled period of Italian history, in which he was deeply involved. [Publisher's text].