It has been theorized that the secret society which we refer to as The Mafia has roots as far back as medieval Sicily. Allegedly, this group of Men of Honor fought to protect the wealthy land owners, eventually serving as the brutal security enforcers of the dreaded gabellotti. In medieval Europe so-called knights served much the same role for their Lord or King. The Mafia is ultimately a feudal system, each tier answering according to their place in the hierarchy. Even the nomenclature is much the same, with abstract terms such as "honor," "respect," and "loyalty" interchangeably used amongst both knights and soldiers. The title of the opera seen in GFIII is another perfect euphemism. "Cavalleria Rusticana" : rustic chivalry. "Power wears out those who do not have it."

I don't mean to dispute your information, but I read in more than one book that the origins of Mafia were poor people grouped together with the objective of fighting the injustices of the authorities and rich people.

Just a side note, do you know if the other organized societies ('ndranghetta, and La Camorra) are of the same origins as the Mafia? I know that they stem from Clabria and Naples respectively, but I mean their objectives. Do they serve the same objectives as the Mafia?

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Sonny:
[QB]I don't mean to dispute your information, but I read in more than one book that the origins of Mafia were poor people grouped together with the objective of fighting the injustices of the authorities and rich people.[QB]

Sonny I hear ya. Actually I like your version better. But what about the Omerta. Was it a concept of strictly Sicilian origin or did the Calabrese and Napolitani share its genesis as well?

Yes Sonny, they do. In Europe they work often together also.

I honestly don't know. But considering what Don Michel mentioned in this thread, I would assume that the Neapolitans and Calabrians would have their own versions of the Omerta` since they operate on a similar guidline with the Mafia.

ps: Thanx Don Michel.

Sonny, i've you wanna "learn" more about this
topic, you have to read this book,


L'Europe des parrains : la Mafia áa l'assaut de l'Europe

It's origionaly in French but i guess you will find an English translation in your local bookstore.

Sonny is absolutely correct. The origin of the Mafia/La Casa Nostra, is that it was actually formed to protect poor people/farmers against the injustices of the rich. Unfortunately, with it's rise to power, it eventually went bad and turned criminal itself.

Don Cardi

Well Don Cardi, how do you think they protect the farmers and poor people........,
the nice way????

I don't think so, maybe they where noble at the start, but criminal aswell. Don't you agree that, for example, Robin Hood was a criminal, although he stealed from the rich and give to the poor.

If you think that your statement is correct, it will be no problem if we robbed Bill Gates en give the money to the homeless.
We won't be criminals then ???????????????

I read that after the grouped farmers became stronger, they started to get more "protection money" from both poor and rich alike. Therefore, the poor who couldn't aford it was in deep trouble. That's when the Mafia stopped to serve the objective of serving the poor and continued serving those who could afford their services, i.e. the rich. That's how, I read, that the Mafia was corrupted.

I think you are right at that point Sonny, but i don't think that the statement of Don Cardi fits in.

It doesn't matter what your business is, blackmail, protection money, violence or give it a name, it's criminal.

I'm a businessman myself and i have don't think that i'll be very plaesed when someone asks me for "protection" money or tries to blackmail me. I'll whack them for that

LOL, I know what you're saying. I'm trying to come up with a plan to snatch some "extra taxes" outta some businessmen myself without asking for "protection money"

You know, something else struck me just now. I read somewhere that some computer hackers do hack into companies' computers and websites so those companies would use these hackers as employees later on? What about that for an offer that they can't refuse huh?

That reminds me slightly of casino boss's using ex-cheats to work for them to look out for other cheats.

I've two IBC's, i know that you are in business, ive read about that before in some topic. Maybe you are familiar with the term "going offshore". There are lot's of possibillity's to earn money with out paying taxes. If you like i'll send you a personal massage about that topic.

By the way, i'm in the ICT and internet security business myself and i know all about hackers etc.

The mob had strict parameters for membership before, you had to be sicilian and both parents italian, and obviously male. Then it was you needed to be from italy, and now you just need an italian father.