Encyclopedia of Southern Italy: Ce – Cy

Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.

Ce – Cy

Cefala’ Diana (PA): A commune in the province of Palermo. The place-name derives from that of Niccolo Diana, who purchased it in 1620.

Cefalù (anc. Cephaloedium) (PA): A commune in the province of Palermo, situated the N coast of Sicily, to the E of Palermo.

cefalu: Sicilian name for the cefalo, a type of fish (mullet or gurnet).

celandine: A spring flower found in Sicily, often found growing wild with cyclamens.

Celestine I, St.: Pope. (r Sept. 10, 422-July 27, 432).

Celestine II: Pope. (rSept 26, 1143-Mar 8, 1144).

Celestine III: Pope. (r Mar 30, 1191-Jan 8, 1198).

Celestine IV: Pope. (rOct 25-Nov 11, 1241).

Celestine V, St.: (Pierto Angelerio; Pietro del Morrone; Pietro da Marrone): (b. (full entry)

cella: (Greek naos). The center or walled-in part of an ancient temple. Several Christian churches in Sicily incorporate the cellae of former temples.

Celsus: (fl. AD 50). A native of Centuripa, in Sicily, he became one of the most celebrated Roman physicians of his day. He also wrote works on rhetoric, history, philosophy, warfare, and agriculture. His most famous work De Medicina still survives reveals the techniques of the ancient medical school of Alexandria.

centesimo: a coin used in the kingdom of the Two Sicilies. It was the equivalent of 1/100 of a lira.

Centumalus, Gnaeus Fulvius:(d. 210 BC). Roman politician and military leader. Having served as Roman consul in 211 BC, he was killed in battle the following year against Hannibal near Herdonia (Apulia).

Centuripe: (EN): (anc. Centuripae or Centuripa; formerly Centorbi): A commune in the province of Enna. (full entry)

Cephaloedium: (mod. Cefalù [PA]). A town in ancient Sicily, located on the northern coast of Sicily, near Himera.

Cephalus: (fl. 5th Century BC). A native of Syracuse, he was the father of the orator Lysias. Arriving in Athens at the invitation of Pericles, he was one of the speakers in Plato’s “Republic.”

Cerami (EN): A commune in the province of Enna. Population: 2,331 (2006e).

A Sicilian town founded by the Byzantines. In 1064, it was the site of an important victory of the Normans under Roger I over the Saracens.

Cerda (PA): A commune in the province of Palermo. There is an important pre-Greek megalithic site located on Monte Castellaccio, about 3 km from Cerda.

Ceres: The goddess of Roman/Italic agriculture, she was the daughter of Saturn and Vesta. (full entry)

Ceretanum: (mod. Giarratana [RG]). An ancient city in Sicily, near modern Ragusa, noted for its extensive ruins.

Cerignola (FG): A commune in the province of Foggia, located 24 miles SE of Foggia. Population: 58,001 (2006e). It is situated on a height amid a great plain. It had a population in 1856 of 10,500. Traditionally, the economy was based on the cultivation of almonds and cotton, and the manufacture of linen. On Apr. 28, 1503, the Spanish under Gonsalvo de Cordova defeated the French under the duke of Nemours, who was killed in the battle. In the town is a milliarium, which records that the Roman Emperor Trajan personally paid for the extension of a road from Beneventum to Brundusium.

Cerilli (or Cerillae, Cerelae): (mod. Cirella Vecchiadi Diamante [CS]). A town in ancient Bruttium, situated on a small coastal island, just to the south of the mouth of the river Laus.

Cerisola, Bettino: (fl. c.1496). Navigator. He operated as a pirate against Venetian merchant ships.

Cerreto Sannita – Telese – Sant’Agata de’ Goti, Diocese of:

Metropolitan: Benevento

Conference Region: Campania

Area:  583 km²/ mi²

Total Population: 88,989

Total Priests: 75(Diocesan: 59; Religious: 16).

Permanent Deacons: 1.

Parishes: 60.

Cerito, Fanny (Francesca Teresa Giuseppa Raffaela Cerrito): (b. May 11, 1817, Naples; d. May 6, 1909, Paris). Ballet dancer and choreographer. A student of Jules Perrot, Carlo Blasis, and Arthur Saint-Léon, she debuted as a dancer in Naples in 1832. In 1838, she became Prima Ballerina at La Milan, remaining there until 1840. In that year she travelled to London where she became Prima Ballerina in Her Majesty’s Theatre (to 1848). In 1845, she married her former instructor Arthur Saint-Léon (divorced 1851). Between 1847 and 1851, she gave performances at Paris. She retired at the age of 40 in 1857.

Cerulli, Vincenzo: (b. Apr. 20, 1859, Teramo; d. May 30, 1927, Merate, prov. of Como). Astronomer. A man of some personal wealth, he built his own private astronomical observatory in Teramo. His observations helped to compile a star catalog. Turning his attention to the planet Mars, he was the first to develop the theory that the so-called canals (canali) of Mars were nothing more than an optical illusion. Cerulli was the discoverer of the asteroid 704 Interamnia, named for the ancient city of Teramo. He was honored by having one of the craters of Mars and an asteroid (366 Vincentina) named for him.

Cethegus>: (fl. mid-6th Century AD). Patricius of Sicily. He was informed by Pope Pelagius I (rAD556-61) of the ordination of a bishop of Catania, and of a married bishop being seated at Syracuse because no other proper candidate could be found.

cetrach: A variety of fern found in Sicily. It is identified by its notched fleshy leaves, often said to resemble the tail of a crocodile.

Chalcidian Greek Colonies: The principal colonies founded by the Chalcidian Greeks in Sicily were Naxos and Zankle (mod. Messina).

chancel (presbiterio, coro): a part of a church apse containing the altar. It derives its name from the Late Latin cancellus (= “lattice,”), in turn derived from the Latin cancelli (pl.) (= “grating, bars”). It is so-named because it is normally separated from the nave by lattice-work.

Chariot-ruts: A term given to the ruts worn into ancient roads. Created by the innumerable wheels of chariots, carts, and other vehicles over several centuries, some of the ruts are nearly a foot deep. In Sicily, they can best be seen around the sites of ancient cities like Syracuse.

Charles I of Anjou: (b. March 21, 1226 or 1227, in Paris, Ile De France; d. (full entry)

Charles II “the Lame”: (b. c1248 or 1254, in Naples; d. (full entry)

Charles III: (b. 1345; d. Feb. 24, 1386). King of Naples (r1382-1386). He was opposed by Louis I of Anjou (r1383-1384).

Charles VII: (b. Jan. 20, 1716; d. Dec. 14, 1788). King of Naples and Sicily (r1735-1759). King of Spain (as Charles III) (r1759-1788).

Charles Albert: (b. Oct. 2, 1798). King of Sardinia. Succeeded his uncle, Charles Felix, on April 27, 1831. Married (Sept. 30, 1817) Theresa, daughter of Ferdinand III, Grand Duke of Tuscany. He was the father of Victor Emanuel II (b. Mar. 14, 1820), 1st King of United Italy, and of Ferdinand (b. Nov.  15, 1822), Duke of Genoa.

Charondas: (prob. 6th Century BC). (full entry)

Charontes: A class of Etruscan demons. They appear to have had connections with Charun.

Charun: An Etruscan demon similar to the Greek Charon as the guardian of the entrance of the underworld. He was far more monstrous character than his Greek counterpart, having a vulture’s beak, pointed ears and wings. He carried a great hammer with which he crushed his hapless victims.

Charybdis: (Grk = Kharybdis): A mythological monster. (full entry)

Chianche (AV): A commune in the province of Avellino. Population: 583 (2007e); 596 (2006e).

Chiaramonte: One of the most important noble families in medieval Sicily. Its members claimed descent from Charlemagne. In the 13th century one of its members, Manfredi Chiaramonte, married Isabella Mosca, thus uniting the counties of Modica and Ragusa under a single lord. The last family member of note was Andrea Chiaramonte, 8th count of Modica, who defied King Martin I. For this act, he was beheaded in 1392, putting an end to the family’s power.

                The town of Chiaramonte Gulfi, in the province of Ragusa, is named after the Chiaramonte family.

Chiaroscuro: a term in art for the bold contrast of light and dark. One form of this technique known as tenebrism became widely practiced in Spain and the Kingdom of Naples in the 17th Century.

Chiesa Matrice (Chiesa Maggiore): A term applied to the principal church of a town which has no cathedral. Such a church is sometimes called a Duomo, despite the fact it is not a true cathedral.

Chieti, Province of: A province in the region of Abruzzo. Number of Communes: 104.

Chieti(CH): A city and provincial capital of the province of Chieti, in Abruzzo. Population: 55,751 (2006e).

Chinnici, Rocco: (b. Jan. 19, 1925; d. July 29, 1983). Magistrate. Beginning his judicial career in Trapani in 1952, he later became Chief Prosecutor at the Palace of Justice in Palermo. A dedicated opponent of the Mafia, he was assassinated by a bomb on July 29, 1983. Chinnici’s predecessor, Cesare Terranova, and two of his fellow magistrates, Giovanni Falcone and Paolo Borsellino, all were assassinated by the Mafia as well.

Choerades: A pair of small rocky islands off the coast of Apulia, near Tarentum.

Chone: An ancient Oenotrian town in southern Italy from which the Chones derive their name.

Chonia: An ancient district in southern Italy. It was inhabited by an Oenotrian people, the Chones. The land of Chonia appears to have encompassed all of SE Lucania and all of eastern Bruttium as far as the promontory of Zephyrium.

Chrestus: (fl. 1st part of the 4th Century AD). Bishop of Syrause. In AD 314, he was directed by the Emperor Constantine I to attend the council at Arles, scheduled to be convened on August 1st of that year. Constantine issued instructions that the bishop should apply to Latronianus, the governor (corrector) of Sicily for the use of a public carriage for the journey.

Christopher: Antipope (r903-904).

Chromius: (date uncertain). Athlete. A Syracusan. He was notable for triumphing at the Nemean Games.

Chronicon Siculum:

Chrysas, River: (mod. Dittaino). A river in ancient Sicily. An affluent of the river Symaethus, it passed to the south of Agyrion. The Sicels of Assorus (Grk. Assoros) considered the river to be a divinity.

chrysobull: the most formal type of Byzantine imperial document. It’s name derives from the gold seal (chryse boulla) attached to it.

Churchyards: Unlike most of Europe, the churchyards in southern Italy and Sicily were not used for cemeteries. Wherever possible, gardens surrounded by balustrades and decorated with statuary of saints were found in Sicilian churchyards.

Cicero, Marcus Tullius: (d. 43 BC). Roman statesman. Born in the town of Arpinum, he was the son of a Roman knight and cliamed descent from the Sabine kings. He was famed in his abilities as an orator, lawyer and statesman and came to be the principal leader in the senate in defying the growing powers of the Second Triumvirate. He finally the target of Marc Antony who ordered his assassination in 43 BC.

Cicirrhus, Messius: A native of Campania, he was a character introduced by Horace in the 5th Satire of his first book.

Cigala: (fl. c1551-1561). Navigator. He operated as a pirate in the Mediterranean attacking French and Venetian merchant shipping.

Cilea, Francesco: (b. Palmi (RC). d. 20 November 1950, Varazze). Composer.

Cincius, Gaius: (date uncertain). Full name (C. Cincius C.F. Paullus). A Roman at Vibo Valentia. With his fellow quattuovir iure dicundo (an official in charge of public monuments), Quintus Vibullius, he oversaw the repair and erection of a statue of the goddess Proserpina and the rebuilding of an altar. The construction was undertaken by a decree of the Roman Senate.

Cioparedda: a variety of Calabrian multi-part song.

Cipolla, Antonio: (b. 1823, Naples. 1874, Rome). Architect. He worked primarily in Renaissance forms. Principal works: Banca d’Italia (Bologna) Cassa di Risparmio (1872, Rome) stables for Quirinale (Rome)Church of Spirito Santo dei Napoletani (Rome) (reconstruction).

Ciuccio, Andrea: (b. c1656, Acerra [NA]). Actor. He was famous for his portrayal of Pulcinella in the Commedia dell’arte.

Civitella Messer Raimondo (CH): A commune in the province of Chieti. Population:  938 (2006e).

Clampetia (Grk: Lampetia): A town in ancient Bruttium, situated on the west coast. It was already in ruins by the time of Pliny the Elder (3.89) in the 1st Century AD. It is traditionally identified with Amantea (CS). It was sometimes called Clampesa.

Clarac, Count Charles Othon Frederic Jean: (b. June 16, 1777 in Paris; d. 1847). French antiquary and artist. Having fought against France for a time, he later took advantage of an offered amnesty and returned home. In 1808, he accepted the post of tutor to the children of King Joachim Murat at Naples. Impressed by his scholarship, Murat appointed Clarac as the superintendent of the excavations at Pompeii. After the fall of Murat, Clarac returned to France and continued his career as a diplomat and museum curator.

Classical period: Greek chronological term; 480-323 BC.

Clanis, River: An earlier name for the ancient river Liris.

Claudius Caecus, Appius: (fl. late 4th /early 3rd Centuries BC). (full entry)

Claudius Caudex, Appius: (fl. mid-3rd Century BC). Roman politician and military leader. Consul in 264 BC, he campaigned against the Carthaginians in Sicily during the 1st Punic War. He was the brother of Appius Claudius Caecus.

Claudius Pulcher, Appius: (d. 211 BC). Roman politician and military leader. He was the son of Publius Claudius Pulcher. Having served as aedile in 217 BC, he was one of the few Romans to survive the terrible Roman defeat at Cannae in 216. In 215, as praetor, he was sent to Sicily. In 212 BC he was elected consul. In the following year, he suffered a fatal wound in battle against Hannibal near Capua.

Claudius Pulcher, Publius: (fl. mid-3rd Century BC). Roman politician and military leader. Consul in 249 BC, he was the son of Appius Claudius Caecus. Having suffered a major naval defeat against the Carthaginians in the harbor of Drepanum, Sicily, he was recalled and subsequently condemned. He was the father of Appius Claudius Pulcher.

Cleander: (d. 498 BC). Tyrant of Gela (r505-498 BC). Assassinated after a reign of 7 years, he was succeeded by his brother Hippocrates.

Clement I, St.: Pope(r AD 88/92 – 97/101). A Roman by birth, he succeeded St. Anacletus and was succeeded by St. Evaristus.

Clement II: Pope. (rDec 24, 1046-Oct 9, 1047).

Clement III: Pope. (rDec 19, 1187-Mar 27, 1191).

Clement IV (Guy Foulquois): Pope. (rFeb 5, 1265-Nov 29, 1268).

Clement V: Pope. (rJune 5, 1305-Apr. 20, 1314).

Clement VI: Pope. (rMay 7, 1342-Dec 6, 1352).

Clement VII: Pope. (rNov 26, 1523-Sept 25, 1534).

Clement VIII: Pope. (rJan 30, 1592-Mar 3, 1605).

Clement IX: Pope. (rJune 20, 1667-Dec 9, 1669).

Clement X: Pope. (rApr 29, 1670-July 22, 1676).

Clement XI: Pope. (rNov 23, 1700-Mar 19, 1721).

Clement XII: Pope. (rJuly 12, 1730-Feb 6, 1740).

Clement XIII: Pope. (rJuly 6, 1758-Feb 2, 1769).

Clement XIV: Pope. (rMay 19, 1769-Sept 22, 1774).

Cleon (Kleon): (b. Syracuse; fl. late 4th century BC). Courtier. A member of Alexander the Great’s court, he had a reputation as a flatterer (kolakes), who advocated the public announcement of Alexander’s divinity. Some scholars identify him with another Cleon of Syracuse who, during the same period, wrote a work entitled “On Harbors.” It is likely that the latter Cleon would have served Alexander as a technical expert.

Cleonymus: (fl. late 4th / early 3rd Centuries BC). Spartan prince. The younger son of King Cleomenes II of Sparta. In 303 BC, he crossed over to Italy to give aid to Tarentum against the threat of the Lucanians. He later withdrew and seized the island of Corcyra.Cliternum (Cliternia): A town of the Samnite Frentani, in the territory of Larinum (in modern Molise).Cluvius: A family of ancient Campania. Its most important member was M. Cluvius Rufus, Roman consul suffectus in AD 45, and governor of Spain under Galba. He was an historian who composed a history of the reigns of Nero, Galba, Otho, and Vitellius.

Clibanus mons: An ancient mountain identified by some with M. Gariglione in Cosenza province, Calabria. The origin of the name is disputed. Some believe that it is derived from the Latin clibanus, the name for a type of oven. Others contend that it is of pre-Latin derivation, related to an Indo-European root *k’lei- (“to tip, incline, lean”).

Coadjutor Bishop: A special class of auxiliary bishop. Unlike most auxiliaries, the coadjutor is considered as the heir-apparent to the current bishop. When the latter dies, retires, or is transferred, his coadjutor immediately succeeds him. Because of their special status, coadjutors usually work more closely with the current bishops than do other auxiliaries.

Cocalus: A mythical Sikan king. He warmly welcomed the fugitive Daedalus, and protected him when King Minos demanded his return. He eventually tricked Minos and was able to have him assassinated.

Cocynthum promontorium: (mod. Capo Stilo). A promontory of ancient Bruttium. It is mentioned by Pliny the Elder. The name was apparently of Greek origin, derived from the word kyntho-, used to signify a mount. Some scholars believe the word to be Pelasgian in origin.

coinage in ancient Sicily: Prior to the First Punic War, many of the Greek and Carthaginian cities on Sicily minted their own coinage in both precious and base metals. It was a common practice for the likenesses of the particular city’s patron deity or civic symbol to be impressed on the coins. Later, under the Roman Republic, many of these cities retained the right to mint their own coinage. Bronze coins were still minted in Amistratus, Cephaloedium, Iaetia, Lilybaeum, Paropus, and Petra. Larger cities like Syracuse and Tauromenium continued to produce their own coinage in a variety of metals until the reign of the Emperor Tiberius (AD 14-37).

Collatia: A town in ancient Apulia. Its location is uncertain and it is known to have existed only during the time of the Roman Empire.

Colletta, Pietro: b. Jan 23, 1775, in Naples; d. Nov. 11, 1831, in Florence. Patriot. A supporter of the Napoleonic French kings of Naples, he was appointed (1808) commissioner of Calabria Citra. In 1812, he held the posts of general and director of bridges and public roads. With the fall of Murat and the subsequent return of the Bourbons to Naples, Colletta was arrested and imprisoned for a time. With the outbreak of the revolution of 1820, Colletta again rose to prominence. He served for a short time as viceroy to Sicily, but was soon recalled to Naples to become minister of war. With the collapse of the reform government and the occupation of Naples by the Austrians, Colletta again found himself a political prisoner. He was exiled to Monrovia but was later allowed to resettle in Florence.

Colonia Minervia: Ancient name for Squillace (CZ).

Colonne, Guido delle: A judge and poet in Messina who flourished under Emperor Frederick II (r1198-1250) and Manfred (r. 1258-1266). A member of the Sicilian School of Poetry, he also wrote a Latin prose epic on the Trojan War, the Historia Trojana. The first of the 28 books of this work was written in c1270, but the remainder dates to Sept-Nov. 1287. Between these times, he had gone to England with Prince Edward I when he was returning from the crusades after the death of Henry III. After returning home he was made a judge at Messina (c1276). He was reported to still be alive when Nicholas IV reigned as pope (1288-1292).

Cominum: A town in ancient Samnium, destroyed by the Romans.

Comitatus Aprutinus: Medieval name for the region of Abruzzo.

Commissione (=commission): the governing board or parliament for each province of Sicily.

Communes (by population) in Southern Italy, Largest:

1881

2001

1

Napoli

494,314

Napoli

1,000,470

2

Palermo

244,991

Palermo

671,593

3

Messina

126,497

Bari

328,458

4

Catania

100,417

Catania

305,773

5

Bari delle Puglie

60,575

Messina

247,592

6

Modica

41,231

Reggio di Calabria

190,127

7

Foggia

40,283

Foggia

154,780

8

Marsala

40,283

Salerno

146,324

9

Reggio di Calabria

39,296

Siracusa

123,332

10

Acireale

38,547

Pescara

123,318

11

Trapani

38,231

Giuliano in Campania

105,951

12

Alcamo

37,697

Andria

95,653

13

Andria

37,182

Catanzaro

95,251

14

Taranto

33,942

Barletta

93,104

15

Barletta

33,179

Torre del Greco

90,607

16

Castellammare

di Stabia

33,102

Brindisi

89,081

17

Caltagirone

32,323

Lecce

83,303

18

Salerno

31,245

Casoria

81,888

19

Caserta

30,550

Marsala

80,391

20

Caltanissetta

30,480

Pozzuoli

78,754

21

Molfetta

30,056

Gela

77,260

22

Catanzaro

28,594

Caserta

75,208

23

Torre del Greco

27,562

Cosenza

72,998

24

Bitonto

26,207

Potenza

70,500

25

Lecce

25,934

Ragusa

68,956

Comparatico: the institution of “godfatherhood” in southern Italy.

Compare (pl. compari): Godfather.

Compsa: (mod. Conza della Campania (AV)). A town of the ancient Hirpini, in Samnium. It was situated near the sources of the river Aufidus.

Conca, Sebastiano: (b. 1680, Gaeta. d. 1764, Naples). Painter. After studying under Solimena in Naples, he moved to Rome in 1706 where he worked with C. Maratta. In 1729, he joined the Academy of S. Luca. He also did work in the court of Sabaudia. After his return to Naples in 1751 he turned from classic styles to the Baroque ones inspired by Luca Giordano. Principal Works: Ceiling painting of Incoronazione della Santa (Church of S. Cecilia in Trastevere, Rome) (with C. Maratta).Oratory of San Filippo (Turin).Santa Teresa (Turin).S. Pietro Martire (Naples).Santa Chiara (Naples).

Condottieri (sing. condottiere): commanders and captains of the various troops of mercenary soldiers employed by Italian city-states and rulers during the late Middle Ages and Renaissance. The term first came into use during the 14th century. They typically owed their loyalty to whomever offered them the highest wage and only for the duration of their contract. The same condottiero leader might fight on behalf of a ruler or city which, only recently before, he had battled against, and which he might fight again at a later time.

Conon: (d. AD 687). Pope (rOct. 20/21, AD 686-Sept. 22, 687). Born in Sicily to parents of Thracian decent, he succeeded John V after a delay of over two and a half months. His election was affected as a compromise between the conflicting factions vying for the papal seat. Owing to his advanced age and poor health, Conon was ineffectual and died after a reign of 11 months.

Conrad IV: Holy Roman Emperor and King of Sicily (r1250-54).

Conradin (It. Curradino): King of Sicily (r1254-1258; 1268). The son of Emperor Conrad IV, he was the last legitimate Swabian/Hohenstaufen claimant to the throne of Sicily.

Consentia: (mod. Cosenza). The principal town of the ancient Bruttii. It was situated on the river Crathis. The Visigothic chief, Alaric, died and was buried nearby.

                The origin of the name is disputed. According to one theory, it comes from an Oscan word related to the Latin consentire, and thus means something like “peace” or “friendship.” Another theory agrees that the name is of Oscan origins but suggests that it is related to the Latin consentia (= confluence). It was so-named because it was situated at the confluence of the rivers Crati and Busento.

consigliere (pl. consiglieri): advisor to a mafia capo.

cosca: a mafia term for family.

Consilinum: (mod. Consignano). A city in ancient Bruttium, located north of Locri.

Constance (1): Queen of Sicily (r1194-1198). Wife of Emperor Henry VI. Daughter of King Roger II of Sicily. Mother of Emperor Frederick II.

Constance (2): (d. 1302, in Barcelona). Daughter of Manfred, King of Sicily, and Beatrice of Savoy. In 1262, she married Peter III of Aragon, by whom she had three sons, Alphonso (King of Aragon, r1285-1291), James (King of Sicily, r1285-1296, King of Aragon, r1291-1327), and Frederick (King of Sicily, 1296-1337). It was through his marriage with Constance that Peter was able to claim the throne of Sicily as Peter I.

Constantine: Pope. (rMar 25, 708-Apr. 9, 715).

Constantine II: Antipope (r767-768).

Constantine “the African”: (b. Carthage, fl. mid-11th Century). Translator. A Christian living in Saracen-controlled Carthage, he was already a well-known translator of Arabic, Greek and Latin texts when he accepted an invitation from Alfano I, archbishop of Salerno, to join the staff of the School of Medicine at Salerno. Arriving in c1065, with his own library, he devoted himself to the task of translating the many Arabic medical manuscripts held by the school into Greek and Latin. His work was instrumental in the restoration of Classical Greco-Roman medical knowledge to Europe during the Middle Ages. He also translated and adapted many Arabic handbooks on a variety of topics.

Constitution of 1812, Sicilian: A constitution created by Lord William Bentinck, the English administrator of Sicily, during the Napoleonic Wars. (full entry)

Conte (Eng. Count): A noble title. The term derives from the Late Latin comes (= companion), a term used for an attendant or supporter of the Emperor. A Count/Conte is the equivalent of an English Earl.

Contessa Entellina (Sic. A Cuntissa; Arbëreshë: Hora e Kundisës)(PA): A commune in the province of Palermo.

Conza (Gonza), Alfonso Gesualdo di: (b. 1540, Calitri; d. Feb. 14, 1603, at Naples). Ecclesiastic. Having become a cardinal in 1561, he served as archbishop of Conza (1564-1572) and archbishop of Naples (1596-1603).

Corace, River: (anc. Carcinus). It is located in the province of Catanzaro, Calabria.

Corato (BA): A commune in the province of Bari. Population:  47,115 (2007e); 46,901 (2006e). It had a population in 1871 of 26,220.

Corax: (fl. 1st half of the 5th Century BC). Ancient Sicilian rhetorician. Through his superior oratory, he gained ultimate power in Syracuse following the expulsion of Thrasybulus in 467 BC. He is the author of history’s earliest known work on rhetoric.

Corfinio (anc. Corfinum)(AQ): A commune in the province of L‘Aquila. Population: 1,023 (2006e).

Corfinium: (mod. Corfinio [AQ]). The principal town of the Samnite Peligni, located near the river Aternus. During the time of the Social War, early in the 1st Century BC, it served for a time as the Italian capital, under the name Italica.

Corleone (Sic. Cunigghiuni)(PA): A town in Sicily. Population: 11,319 (2006e).

Cornelius, St.: Pope. (rAD Mar/Apr 251-June 253).

cornice (Ital. cornicione): the uppermost section of a classical façade.

Corsair: a term used for the maritime brigands who plied the waters of the Mediterranean from medieval times until the early 19th century. They were based particularly along the Barbary Coast of North Africa and the island of Malta. Corsairs were closer in nature to privateers rather than pirates, sailing under the sponsorship of their respective governments.

cortile: a galleried courtyard or cloisters.

Cosa (or Cossa): A town in ancient Lucania.

Cosconius, Gaius: (fl. 1st part of the 1st Century BC). Roman politician and military leader. He defeated the Samnites in 89 BC during the Social War.

Cosenza, Province of: A province of Calabria. Area: 6,653 km². Population: 730,395 (2006e).

Cosenza(anc. Consentia) (CS): City and provincial capital of the province of Cosenza in Calabria. Area: 37.24 km². Population: 70,185 (2006e). The city’s name derives from the Latin Consentes dii (= counselor gods), a term used by the 12 principal deities.

Cosenza-Bisignano, Metropolitan Archdiocese of:

Type: Metropolitan Archdiocese.

Rite: Roman/Latin

History: :Diocese of Cosenza established in the 7th century. Promoted to a Metropolitan Archdiocese in 1150.

Renamed as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cosenza e Bisignano on April 4, 1979.  Renamed as Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cosenza–Bisignano on September 30 1986.

Conference Region: Calabria

Metropolitan (if applicable):

Suffragans (if applicable): Cassano all’Jonio, Rossano–Cariati, San Marco Argentano–Scalea

Area: 2,537 km² (979 sq. miles).

                In 2006 the diocese had a population of 383,000, of which 381,000 (99.5%) are Catholics. There are parishes, priests (Diocesan and Religious), permanent deacons, male religious, and female religious.

Cosmati Work: a decorative highly colored mosaic work on marble, common in early Italian churches.

Cossura: An ancient name for the island of Pantelleria.

Cossyra: An ancient name for the island of Pantelleria.

Costantino: Bishop of Capua (r483-499).

Cosura: An ancient name for the island of Pantelleria.

Cosyra: An ancient name for the island of Pantelleria.

Cosyrus: An ancient name for the island of Pantelleria.

cotognata: a traditional quince paste used in Puglia and Sicily.

Cozzo, Francesco: (b. 1605, Stilo Calabro. d. 1682, Rome). Having trained under Domenichino, he also worked as a partner with him. Principal Works: Fresco in the Stanza del Fuoco (Palazzo Pamphili, Valmontone, 1658-59).Fresco in the Library of Palazzo Pamphili in the Piazza Navona with the Apotheosis of Pamphili House on the ceiling of the main hall (Rome, 1667-73). Frescoed ceiling of a Library of Collegio Innocentiano.Palazzo Altieri (Rome).

Cozzupara: a variety of Calabrian multi-part song.

Crassus, Marcus Licinius: wealthy Roman general and politician; in 71 BCE Crassus put down the slave revolt led by Spartacus; in 70 BCE, he was the consul along with Pompey; in 60 BCE Crassus became a member of the First Triumvirate with Caesar and Pompey; following his final consulship, Crassus goes to Syria as its proconsul in 55 BCE and is killed at the Battle of Carrhae 53 BCE.

Cratas mons: Ancient name for the Madonie mountains in Sicily.

Crathis, River: (mod. Crati). A river which formed the boundary between ancient Bruttium and Lucania. It empties into the sear near Sybaris. A famous temple to Minerva stood near the river’s mouth. According to legend, the waters of the Crathis could dye a person’s hair blond. It is believed that the name is of pre-Roman and pre-Greek origin, and may come from an Oenotrian word. Its root may br found in the Indo-European *g’her- (‘to gripe, grab, enclose’) or *kert- (‘to turn, roll, wind’).

Crescent, Order of the:  The name for two orders of knighthood created by the Angevin rulers of Naples and Sicily. The first was initiated by King Charles I of Anjou in 1268, while the second was created by Rene of Anjou in 1448.

Crimisa (or Crimissa): An ancient Greek colony in Bruttium, located on a promontory of the eastern coast of Bruttium (present-day Punta dell’Alice di Cirò Marina (KR)), just south of the river Crimisus, near Croton. It was founded by Philoctetes, and was mentioned by Strabo. The name appears to derive from the IE root *grem- (= “damp”, “to sink”).

Crimisa (or Crimissa), Promontorium: (mod. Punta dell’Alice di Ciro Marina (KR)). A headland situated on the eastern coast of ancient Bruttium.

Crimisus (Grk Krimisos): an ancient river-god of Sicily. He is believed to have been the son of Oceanus and Tethys, and was the father, by Egesta, of Aegestes.

Crimisus (or Crimissus), River: A river in northwestern Sicily. It was the site of an important victory of the Greeks under Timoleon over the Carthaginians in 339 BC.

Crison (Krison): (b. Himera; fl. 4th century BC). Athlete. A noted runner, he once raced Alexander the Great. Alexander became annoyed with him when he learned that Crison had deliberately lost the contest.

Crispi, Francesco: (b. Oct. 4, 1819 at Ribera, Sicily; d. Aug. 11, 1901). Statesman. A supporter of Garibaldi, he accompanied that leader in the conquest of Sicily in 1860. He served as Prime Minister of Italy from 1887 to 1891 and 1893 to 1896. He was a strong advocate of Italian colonial expansion in Abyssinia (Ethiopia).

Crocchio, River: (anc. Arogas). It is located in the province of Catanzaro, Calabria.

Cronus: a Titan, son of Gaia and Uranus; father of Hestia, Demeter, Hera, Hades, Poseidon, and Zeus by his sister Rhea, also father of Chiron the centaur by Philyra; some myths identify Cronus as the father of Aphrodite; Cronus is overthrown as the king of the gods by Zeus with help from his brothers, the Titans, the Cyclopes, and the Hecatoncheires; in Rome, Cronus is identified with Saturn.

Crotalus (mod. Alli), River: A river in ancient Bruttium. It is mentioned by Pliny the Elder. Although some scholars believe that the name derives from the Greek krotalos, a musical instrument, others believe it to be of pre-Greek origins.

Croton: ( Crotona ): A ancient Greek city on the east coast of Bruttium (now Calabria), on the river Aesarus. (full entry)

Croton, Athletes of: During the 5 th and 4 th Centuries BC, the city of Croton in southern Italy produced more notable athletes than anywhere else in the Greek world. (full entry)

Crotone, Province of: A province in the region of Calabria.

Crotone-Santa Severina, Archdiocese of:

Metropolitan: Catanzaro-Squillace

Conference Region: Calabria

Area: 1,885 km²/ mi²

Total Population: 191,945.

Total Priests: 116(Diocesan: 95; Religious: 21)

Permanent Deacons: 16

Parishes: 80

crypt (Ital. cripta): the burial place in a church, usually located beneath the choir.

cryptoporticus: an underground passageway. One notable example is located at the House of the Cryptoporticus in Pompeii.

Culsans: An ancient Etruscan deity. He was the equivalent of the Roman Janus, the god who presided over beginnings.

Culsu (or Culs): an Etruscan female demon. Like her male counterpart, Charun (Xarun), she guarded the entrance to the Underworld. He is also associated with Tuxulxa.

Cumae (Kyme): An ancient Greek city situated on the coast of Campania, about 6 miles north of Cape Misenum. In 474 BC, it was attacked by the Etruscans and Carthaginians but rescued by the Syracusan fleet led by Hieron I. In 420 BC, it was attacked by the Samnites who captured the city after several attempts. According to tradition, the Greek population was massacred and the city was reinhabited by Samnites. Modern scholarship, however, suggests that the takeover was far less violent and that the population became mixed. During the Second Punic War, Hannibal attempted to capture the city but was thwarted by Sempronius Gracchus. After the fall of the Western Roman Empire, Cumae became the site where the Ostrogoths kept their regalia and valuables. It was said to have been the last city in Italy to fall to the Byzantine general Narses.

Cumae: , Sibyl of : An ancient priestess and prophetess located at the cave sanctuary of Apollo near Cumae. (full entry)

Currency in Medieval Sicily: The basic unit of currency in medieval Sicily was the ounce (Lat.: uncia; Ital. onza), although no coined of that denomination was ever minted. Smaller denominations which were minted were the tarinus (Ital. tarì), the granus (Ital. grano), and the denarius (= 1/6 of a grano). Values of these coins were as follows: 1 ounce = 30 tarì = 600 grani = 3,600 denari.

Cursi (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 4,166 (2006e).

Cursor, Lucius Papirius (1): (fl. 2nd part of the 4th Century BC). Roman politician and military leader. He was one of Rome’s greatest generals during the 2nd Samnite War. He held the Roman consulship 5 times (333, 320, 319, 315, and 313 BC) and was dictator twice (325 and 309 BC). He won many victories over the Samnites. He was the father of Cursor, Lucius Papirius (2).

Cursor, Lucius Papirius (2): (fl. 1st half of the 3rd Century BC). Roman politician and military leader. He held two consulships (293 and 272 BC). He won several victories over the Samnites and forced them to sue for peace, thus ending the 2nd Samnite War.

Curti, Antonio de (born: Antonio Clemente, aka Totò de Curtis): (see full page).            

Cusano Mutri (BN): A commune in the province of Benevento. Population: 4,246 (2007e); 4,276 (2006e).

cvl alp: an Etruscan deity of the underworld or of fate.

Cyamosorus (or Kyamosoros), River: (mod. Salso). A river in ancient Sicily. It passes to the north of Agyrion.

Cyane (Grk. Kyane): A Sicilian nymph and friend of Persephone. She grieved so much for the latter that she turned into a fountain near Syracuse. The blue waters of her spring are remembered in the name of the color Cyan (Grk. kyanos = azure-blue). The ancient Syracusans celebrated an annual festival at her spring, which including the drowning of a bull.

Cyclopes (sing. Cyclops): A mythical race of one-eyed giants. Most of them were simple shepherds although some were notable craftsmen. The Cyclopes were associated with eastern Sicily, particularly around Mt. Aetna.

                In general, the Cyclopes were considered lawless cannibals, living uncultured lives and capable of great violence. They were thought to be related to both the monstrous Giants (Gigantes) and the human Phaiakians (Phaeacians). Most of them were said to have been born from the drops of Uranus’s blood which fell upon the earth when he was castrated by Cronus. The exception was the infamous Polyphemus, who was a son of Poseidon.

                Another, older, group of Cyclopes forged the weapons of the gods. These three craftsmen worked in a forge located beneath Mt. Etna whose spouting fires were caused by them.

Cyclopean Walls/Masonry: ancient fortifications built of huge, rough stone blocks. These works were so-called because it had been believed that men were incapable of such feats, so they had to be the work of the mythical Cyclopes. Although usually associated with Mycenaean Greece, examples also exist in Italy and Sicily. Among the sites containing Cyclopean works are:

  • Eryx/Erice, Sicily.
  • Tyndaris, Sicily.
  • Cefalù (anc.Cephalaedium), Sicily.
  • Sepino (anc. Saepinum), Molise.
  • Caiazzo (anc. Caiatia), Campania.

This page is part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy. ← Back to the A–Z index

Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy. ← Back to the A–Z index