The Jews of Italy.

There was no country called Italy until unification took place, in the 19th century. But in the first or second century, the writers of the Mishnah recognized Italy as a place. In Tractate Sanhedrin 8:2 of the Mishnah we are told that to be identified as a stubborn and rebellious son, one must drink half a log (275 cc.) of yayin ha-italki (Italian wine).

The Jews living in first century Israel knew about Italy and its wine. And in Rome itself, Emperor Augustus knew enough about Jews "to order the Roman courts not to call Jewish parties or witnesses on the Sabbath." (l)