Calabrian expedition of 1844

Italian history

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

The Calabrian expedition of 1844 was an abortive revolt led by the Bandiera brothers, Attilio and Emilio, who were followers of Giuseppe Mazzini. They aimed to incite an uprising against Austrian rule in Italy.

The brothers, naval officers converted to the cause of Italian independence, founded a secret society called Esperia. After a plot was betrayed, they fled to Corfu. Hearing that the people of the Kingdom of Naples were awaiting a leader, the Bandiera brothers gathered about 20 men and sailed to Calabria in June 1844. Their expected support did not materialize, and they were betrayed and captured. The Bandiera brothers and nine companions were executed on July 23, 1844, becoming martyrs for Italian independence. This event highlighted the challenges of popular support for revolutionary movements in Italy during that period.12

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

2 Britannica Sources

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.

Italy
The rebellions of 1831 and their aftermath
Among these was the Calabrian expedition of 1844, organized by the Venetian Bandiera brothers and seven of their companions, who were captured and executed by the Bourbon regime. These violent acts of suppression increased the esteem that governments and the general public felt for the moderate opposition. The election…
Read More
Among these was the Calabrian expedition of 1844, organized by the Venetian Bandiera brothers and seven of their companions, who were captured and executed by the Bourbon regime. These violent acts of suppression increased the esteem that governments and the general public felt for the moderate opposition. The election…
Read More