Final answer:
Naples was part of the feudal Kingdom of the Two Sicilies during the Renaissance, unlike the wealthy, merchant-dominated Northern city-states. It retained more traditional feudal structures and was under continuous foreign domination, contrasting with the relative independence of cities like Florence. Naples' culture was also distinct due to its Greek and Roman heritage.
Step-by-step explanation:
Naples was significantly different from the other major Italian states during the start of the Renaissance. Unlike the wealthy merchant-dominated city-states in the North like Florence, Venice, and Milan, Naples was part of the feudal Kingdom of the Two Sicilies and largely remained under foreign domination. Founded by the Greeks, Naples boasts a rich history including its period under the Roman Empire, which cultivated its cultural and artistic heritage that continued into the Renaissance period.
While Northern city-states like Florence experienced a surge of economic prosperity and the rise of a new mercantile governing class due to booming trade with the Levant and increasing wealth, Southern Italy and Naples retained more traditional feudal structures. Naples' difference was further exacerbated by foreign rule, first by the Spanish and French during the Italian Wars and later by the Habsburgs and Bourbons. This contrasted with the relative independence of the Northern city-states until they too fell under foreign influence.
The influence of the Greek and Roman heritage in Naples is also notably distinct. While the Renaissance in Northern Italy was primarily driven by a rediscovery of classical Greek and Roman culture resulting in humanist philosophy and art, this influence was an inherent part of Neapolitan culture due to its historical foundations. The artistic, musical, and cultural activities of Naples were unique amalgamations of its Greek, Roman, and feudal legacy.