Encyclopedia of Southern Italy: Se – Sy
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Se – Sy
Sea, Sicilian: See Sea of Sicily.
Sea Salt, Sicilian (Italian Sea Salt, Sale Marino or Trapani sea salt): a type of sea salt harvested along the coast of Sicily. Sea water is collected into ponds where it is allowed to evaporate in the sun, leaving behind the salt. This raw salt is then crushed, processed, and packaged for sale. This sea salt consists of several minerals including iodine, fluorine, magnesium, and potassium, and has lower sodium content than traditional table salts. These sea salts are utilized in a wide variety of different regional Italian cuisines.
Secinaro (AQ): A commune in the province of L’Aquila. Population: 441 (2006e).
Secli’ (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 1,945 (2006e).
Secret Poisoners, Society of: A secret society of supposed ancient origins known to have existed in Italy during the 16 th and 17 th centuries. (full entry)
Segesta: (Acesta, Aegesta, Segeste) : An ancient city of NW Sicily, situated to the SE of Eryx. (full entry)
Sele (anc. Silarus), River: A waterway which flows through Campania into the Gulf of Salerno. Its main tributaries are the Tanagro and the Calore Lucano.
Selinus: ancient city of southwestern Sicily. It was founded (628? B.C.) by Dorian Greeks from Megara Hyblaea. The constant rival of neighboring Segesta, Selinus got Syracuse to interfere in a quarrel, which led to the unsuccessful Athenian expedition in Sicily (415-413 B.C.). Segesta invoked the aid of the Carthaginians, who sacked Selinus in 409 B.C. The city was rebuilt, but it did not prosper and was finally destroyed by Carthage in 250 B.C. The ruins of the five Doric temples on the Acropolis of Selinus have been excavated, revealing some of the finest examples of archaic Greek sculpture and architecture.
Sella di Conza: A pass (alt. 730 m) in the southern Apennine Mountains which is generally used to mark the division between the Campanian and Lucanian Apennines. It forms part of the border between Campania (province of Avellino) and Basilicata (province of Potenza). Part of the route of the modern Strada Statale 7 Via Appia (SS 7), and the ancient Via Appia (Appian Way) runs through the pass.
Sellia (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 551 (2006e).
Sellia Marina (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 6,004 (2006e).
Selvans: Etruscan nature god. He was adopted by the Romans as Silvanus.
Sempronii: An important family of ancient Rome. It was originally of Etruscan origins.
Senerchia (AV): A commune in the province of Avellino. Population: 893 (2006e).
Sepino (CB): A commune in the province of Campobasso. Population: 2,097 (2006e).
Sergi: a noble Neapolitan family, descended from the Counts of Cumae (Cuma). They became a dynasty of autonomous dukes who ruled Naples from AD 840 to 1139.
Sergius I, St.: Pope. (rDec 15, 687-Sept 8, 701).
Sergius (Sergio) I: Count or Duke of Castrum di Cuma (Cumae) and Duke of Naples (rAD 840-865). (full entry)
Sergius (Sergio) I: Ruler of Amalfi (r958-966).
Sergius II: Pope. (rJan 844-Jan 7, 847).
Sergius (Sergio) II: (d. AD 877). Duke of Naples (AD 870-877). In 877, he was overthrown and blinded, and died soon afterwards. He was the son of Gregory III and father of Gregory IV.
Sergius (Sergio) II: Ruler of Amalfi (r1007-1028).
Sergius III: Pope. (rJan 29, 904-Apr 14, 911).
Sergius (Sergio) III: (d. AD 999). Duke of Naples (rAD 977-999). He was the son of Marino II and was the father of Giovanni (John) IV.
Sergius (Sergio) III: Ruler of Amalfi (r1038-1039).
Sergius IV: Pope. (rJuly 31, 1009-May 12, 1012).
Serino (AV): A commune in the province of Avellino. Population: 7,379 (2006e).
Serlo (Serlon) I: a son of Tancred de Hauteville, and brother of William “Iron-Arm.” He is believed to have remained in Normandy, where he inherited the family’s estates. He is known to have had a son, also named Serlo or Serlon, who did leave Normandy for Italy.
Serlo (Serlon) II: (d. 1072). Norman adventurer. Son of Serlo I, he left Normandy to join his relatives in southern Italy where he participated in their campaigns. In 1961, he assisted his uncle Roger I in the capture of Messina. He also fought with distinction at Cerami in 1063. He would probably played a role in the new Norman state in Sicily but was killed in battle against the Saracens near Nicosia.
Serpotta, Gaspare: (d. 1669). A sculptor and stuccoist from Palermo.
Serpotta, Giacomo: (b. 1656, in Palermo; d.1732). A sculptor and stuccoist.
Serpotta, Giovanni Maria: (fl. 18th century; d. 1719). A sculptor from Palermo.
Serpotta, Giuseppe: (b. 1653, at Palermo; d. 1719). A sculptor.
Serpotta, Proscopio: (b. 1679, at Palermo; d. 1755). A sculptor.
Serracapriola (FG): A commune in the province of Foggia. Population: 4,079 (2006e).
Serra d’Aiello (CS): A commune in the province of Cosenza. Population: 800 (2006e).
Serra San Bruno (VV): A commune in the province of Vibo Valentia.
Serradifalco (CL): A commune in the province of Caltanissetta. Population: 6,374 (2006e).
Serramezzana (SA): A commune in the province of Salerno.
Serramonacesca (PE): A commune in the province of Pescara.
Serra Pedace (CS): A commune in the province of Cosenza. Population: 1,041 (2006e).
Serrara Fontana (NA): A commune in the province of Napoli.
Serrastretta (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 3,414 (2006e).
Serrata (RC): A commune in the province of Reggio Di Calabria.
Serre (SA): A commune in the province of Salerno.
Sersale (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 5,006 (2006e).
Servile Wars: A term given in Roman history attached to three major slave uprisings which broke out in Sicily and southern Italy in the Second and First Centuries BC. The agricultural slaves were exploited by their owners, who had extreme powers and were never averse to using them. The first of the Servile Wars was fought in Sicily from 134 to 132 B.C. (or from 135 to 133 B.C.); the second, more serious, also occurred in Sicily from 104 to 101 B.C. (or from 105 to 102 B.C.). The third took place in Campania and was led by the gladiator Spartacus. He and his men gained control over most of S Italy in 73 B.C. and were finally put down with great cruelty by Crassus and Pompey in 71 B.C.
Sessa Aurunca (CE): A commune in the province of Caserta. Population: 22,900 (2006e).
Sessa Cilento (SA): A commune in the province of Salerno.
Sessano del Molise (IS): A commune in the province of Isernia. Population: 851(2006e).
Sesto Campano (IS): A commune in the province of Isernia. Population: 2,505 (2006e).
Sethlan (or Sethlans): Etruscan god of fire and blacksmiths. He was similar to thr Greek Hephaestus and the Roman Vulcan.
Settingiano (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 2,578 (2006e).
Seven Great Houses of the Kingdom: The seven most powerful and influential families of the Regno were the Acquaviva, Sanseverino, D’Aquino, Ruffo, Del Balzo, Piccolomini and Celano.
Severinus: Pope. (rOct 638-Aug 2, 640).
Sfogliatelle (=little sheets): a traditional Neapolitan breakfast. It consists of “little sheets” of flaky pastry shaped as clams and stuffed with ricotta, semolina, orange peel, vanilla and cinnamon.
Sgraffito: a decorative technique in which a layer of plaster is scratched to form a pattern or design. It became very popular in Italy during the 16th Century.
Shakka: Arabic name for the Sicilian city of Sciacca.
Siano (SA): A commune in the province of Salerno.
Sican (Sikan): Ancient ethnic group in central Sicily.
Sicania: an ancient name for Sicily, derived from that of the Sicans.
Sicels (Sikels, Siculi): Ancient ethnic group in eastern Sicily, after whom Sicily is named. They are believed to have crossed into Sicily several centures after the Sicans. Some researchers connect them with the Shakalsha or Sheklesh, a people who had emigrated from ancient Anatolia, perhaps Phrygia, and who numbered amomg the Sea-Peoples.
Sicignano degli Alburni (SA): A commune in the province of Salerno.
Sicilia Citeriore: “Sicily on this side.” A name used for the kingdom of Naples, i.e. the mainland portion of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Sicilia Ulteriore: “Sicily on the other side.” A name used for the kingdom of Sicily, i.e. the insular portion of the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Sicilian: A dialect group centered on the island of Sicily. Also known as Calabro-Sicilian, it had 4,680,715 speakers in 1976.Classification: Indo-European, Italic, Romance, Italo-Western, Italo-Dalmatian. Dialects: Western Sicilian (Palermo, Trapani, Central-Western Agrigentino), Central Metafonetica, Southeast Metafonetica, Eastern Nonmetafonetica, Messinese, Isole Eolie, Pantesco, Southern Calabro. It is distinct enough from Standard Italian to be considered a separate language. Pugliese and Southern Calabrese are reported to be dialects of Sicilian. Some linguists would prefer that it be classified as Southern Romance instead of Italo-Western.
Sicilian foot of Archimedes: A unit of length measurement used in ancient Greek Sicily. It was the equivalent of 0.73 of an English foot.
Sicilian Vespers: The name given the rebellion staged by the Sicilians against the Angevin French domination of Sicily; the rebellion broke out at Palermo at the start of Vespers on Easter Monday, Mar. (full entry)
Sicily: The island’s name derives from that of its ancient inhabitants, the Sicani and Siceli. The meaning of the sic– root of these names in unknown.
Sicily/Sicilia:
Location: A region in southern Italy. Sicily is that largest region in area of Italy.
Name: The name derives from that of the Sikels, an ancient people who had settled on the island prior to the arrival of the Phoenicians and Greeks.
Capital: Palermo.
Area: 25,707 km˛ (mi˛) (the 6th largest island of Europe and the 44th largest island in the world). It has a length of 180 miles and a maximux breadth of 130.
Number of Provinces: 9 (Agrigento; Caltanissetta; Catania; Enna; Messina; Palermo; Ragusa; Syracuse/Siracusa; Trapani.).
Number of Communes (Municipalities): 390.
Population: 5,016,861 (2007)
Population Density: 195.2/km˛ (2007).
Historical Population: 2,960,000 (1850); 3,529,266 (1901); 4,906,878 (1981); 4,966,386 (1991); 4,968,991 (2001); 5,017,212 (2006e).
Sicily: , Communes of : Province of Agrigento : Agrigento, Alessandria della Rocca, Aragona, Bivona, Burgio, Calamonaci, Caltabellotta, Camastra, Cammarata, Campobello di Licata, Canicattě, Casteltermini, Cas… (full entry)
Sicily, Kingdom of: The insular portion of the former kingdom of the Two Sicilies. It was separated from the mainland by the Strait of Messina. It encompassed the whole of the triangular inland of Sicily in addition to several smaller nearby islands. The surface area measured about 12,500 square miles. It had a population of 1,713,945 in 1817.
It was divided into seven intendancies:
Palermo (population in 1817: 465,231)
Trapani (145,712)
Girgenti (288,877)
Caltanissetta (155,225)
Syracuse (Siragoza) (192,710)
Catania (289,406)
Messina (236,784)
Sicily, Sea (or Strait) of (It. Canale di Sicilia, Stretto di Sicilia): Sometimes called the Sicilian Sea Strait, it is a branch of the central Mediterranean Sea situated between Tunisia (to the S) and Sicily (to the N). It encompasses several islands including the Italian Pantelleria, Lampedusa, and Linosa, together called the Pelagie Islands, and Malta, Gozo, and Comiso (the Republic of Malta). The channel between Sicily and Malta is also sometimes referred to as the Strait (or Sea) of Malta.
Sicily, Strait of: See Sea of Sicily.
Sicone: Bishop of Capua (r ?-943).
Siculiana (AG): A commune in the province of Agrigento. Population: 4,716 (2006e).
Siderno (RC): A commune in the province of Reggio Calabria
Sikania: A place referred to by Odysseus in Homer’s Odyssey (xxiv.307). It may be a reference to Sicily.
Sikelia: an ancient Greek term for Sicily.
Sikelos: an ancient Greek term for the native people of Sicily.
Sikilřy: a medieval Norse name for the island of Sicily.
Sila silva: Ancient name for the massif of Sila in Calabria. Its name appears to derive from an Oscan word related to the Latin silva (=wood), referring its thickly wooded slopes.
Silvanus: an ancient Roman/Italic fertility god who watched over forests, groves and wild fields, as well as herds and cattle. He was often associated with Faunus. In keeping with his connection to nature, his principal attributes were a pruning knife and a pine bough. In order to placate Silvanus, an annual ritual was performed offering him the first fruits of the harvest, meat and wine. Because Silvanus was also associated with male sexual power, women were forbidden to attend his rituals.
Silverius, St.: Pope. (rJune 1, 536-Nov 11, 537).
Silvester I, St.: Pope. (rJan 31, 314-Dec 31, 335).
Silvester II: Pope. (rApr. 2, 999-May 12, 1003).
Silvester III: Pope. (r1045). His election has been questioned and he is now usually considered an antipope. He was deposed by the Council of Sutri.
Silvi Marina (TE): A commune in the province of Teramo.
Simbario (VV): A commune in the province of Vibo Valentia.
Simeri Crichi (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 4,142 (2006e).
Simmaco, S.: Bishop of Capua (r422-440).
Simon: Count of Sicily (r1101-1105).
Simone d’Aversa: fl. 14th-15th centuries. A metal smith from Sicily.
Simplicius, St.: Pope. (rMar 3, 468-Mar 10, 483).
Sinagra (ME): A commune in the province of Messina.
Sinatra, Vincenzo: fl. 1742-1779. An architect from Noto (SR).
Sinito, S.: Bishop of Capua (rAD 66-80).
Sinopoli (RC): A commune in the province of Reggio di Calabria.
Sinuessa (Sonuessa, Sinoessa) (mod. Torre San Limato di Cellole [CE]). A town of the ancient Aurunci located in northern Campania.
Siqlliya: Arabic name for Sicily.
Siracusa, Province of: A province of Sicily. Population: 398,948 (2007e).
Siracusa (SR): A commune and provincial capital of the province of Siracusa.
Siragusa, Federico: fl. 18th century. A sculptor from Trapani.
Sirako: Original Greek name for Siracusa (Syracuse). The name derives from the word for swamp, referring to marshlands which were once located nearby.
Sirens: mythical creatures with the heads of women and the bodies of birds. (full entry)
Siricius, St.: Pope. (rDec 11, 384-Nov 26, 399).
Sirignano (AV): A commune in the province of Avellino. Population: 2,719 (2006e).
sirocco: a hot, dry wind which blows off the North African deserts over the Mediterranean Sea to Sicily and Italy. It is often cited as the reason for what foreigners considered widespread indolence and lethargy of southern Italians.
Sisinnius: Pope. (rJan 15-Feb 4, 708).
Sixtus I, St.: Pope. (r115/116-125).
Sixtus II, St.: Pope. (rAug 30/31, 257-Aug 6, 258).
Sixtus III, St.: Pope. (rJuly 31, 432-Mar/Aug 440).
Sixtus IV: Pope. (rAug. 9, 1471-Aug 12, 1484).
Sixtus V: Pope. (rApr 24, 1585-Aug 27, 1590).
Slavery in ancient Italy and Sicily (Roman Era): It has been estimated that during the time of Augustus (r 31 BC-AD 14) about a third of Italy’s population consisted of slaves. (full entry)
Smikrinas: An athlete of ancient Taras. He was victor in the stadion at the Olympian Games in 352 BC.
Smiriglio, Mariano: (b. 1561, in Palermo; d. 1636). Architect and painter.
Social War or Marsic War: [Lat. socii =allies], 91 B.C.-88 B.C., struggle brought on by demands of the Italian allies for the privileges of Roman citizenship. (full entry)
Sogliano Cavour (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 4,146 (2006e).
Solarino (SR): A commune in the province of Siracusa.
Soleto (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 5,551 (2006e).
Solimena, Francesco: (b. 1657, at Canale [AV]; d. 1747). Architect and painter.
Solofra (AV): A commune in the province of Avellino. Population: 12,061 (2006e).
Solopaca (BN): A commune in the province of Benevento. Population: 4,104 (2006e).
Somma Vesuviana (NA): A commune in the province of Napoli.
Sommatino (CL): A commune in the province of Caltanissetta. Population: 7,471 (2006e).
Sorbo San Basile (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 941 (2006e).
Sorbo Serpico (AV): A commune in the province of Avellino. Population: 567 (2006e).
Sporianello (VV): A commune in the province of Vibo Valentia.
Soriano Calabro (VV): A commune in the province of Vibo Valentia.
Sorrento(NA): A commune in the province of Napoli.
Sortino (SR): A commune in the province of Sirausa.
Sosistratos: Ruler of Akragas (r280 BC).
Soter, St.: Pope. (r c166-174/175).
Sottintendente: A provincial official in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies. The equivalent of a lieutenant governor, the Sottintendente, administered one of the 38 districts (distretti) into which the Regno was divided. The Sottintendente resided in the principal town of his district and acted as the assistant to the Intendente (provincial governor).
Soverato (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 9,750 (2006e).
Soveria Mannelli (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 3,284 (2006e).
Soveria Simeri (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 1,642 (2006e).
Sozzi, Olivio: (b. 1690, at Palermo; d. 1765). Painter.
Spada, Mario: fl. 1694. An architect from Ragusa in Sicily.
Spadafora (ME): A commune in the province of Messina.
Spadafora, Antonio: fl. 1585-1594. Painter from Palermo.
Spadafora, Giuseppe: fl. 16th century. An architect and sculptor from Palermo.
Spadetta, Almerindo: (d. April, 1894, Naples). Librettist.
Spadola (VV): A commune in the province of Vibo Valentia.
Spara, Hieronyma (La Spara): (b. Sicily; fl. 2nd half of the 17th century). Poisoner. A student of the infamous Tofana of Palermo, she established a faction of the Secret Poisoners society in Rome during the time of Pope Alexander VII. Her group consisted of several young women who successfully murdered their husbands using the dreaded Aqua Tofana poison.
Sparanise (CE): A commune in the province of Caserta. Population: 7,422 (2006e).
Specchia (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 5,003 (2006e).
Sperlinga (EN): A commune in the province of Enna. Population: 923 (2006e).
Sperone (AV): A commune in the province of Avellino. Population: 3,475 (2006e).
Spezzano Albanese (CS): A commune in the province of Cosenza. Population: 7,182 (2006e).
Spezzano della Sila (CS): A commune in the province of Cosenza. Population: 4,736 (2006e).
Spezzano Piccolo (CS): A commune in the province of Cosenza. Population: 2,095 (2006e).
Spilinga (VV): A commune in the province of Vibo Valentia.
Spina, Rosario: fl. 19th century. A painter from Acireale (CT).
Spinazzola (BA): A commune in the province of Bari: Population: 7,165 (2006e). It will become a part of the new province of Barletta-Andria-Trani when it becomes official in 2009.
Spinelli, Giuseppe: (b. Feb. 1, 1694, in Naples; d. Apr. 12, 1763, in Ostia). Ecclesiatic. Ordained a priest in 1724, he was elevated to cardinal in 1735. He served as archbishop of Naples from 1734 to 1754.
Spinete (CB): A commune in the province of Campobasso. Population: 1,425 (2006e).
Spinoso (PZ): A commune in the province of Potenza.
Spoleto, Duchy of: A medieval Lombard state founded by Duke Faroald in cAD 570. Part of Abruzzo was included in its territory.
Spoltore (PE): A commune in the province of Pescara.
Spongano (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 3,832 (2006e).
Squillace (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 3,384 (2006e).
Squinzano (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 15,040 (2006e).
Staiti (RC): A commune in the province of Reggio di Calabria.
Staletti (CZ): A commune in the province of Catanzaro. Population: 2,391 (2006e).
Statia: Ancient Roman gens or clan. Of Samnite or Lucanian origins, most of its influential members were centered in southern Italy. One of its early members, T. Statius, served as tribune of the plebs in Rome in 475 BC. The first member of the gens to hold a consulship was L. Statius Murcus who received the honor in AD 142.
Statilia: An ancient Lucanian family which became a Roman gens or clan. They began to figure in Roman affairs during the last years of the Republic, with the most influential members bearing the surname of Taurus. T. Statilius Taurus became a consul in AD 37.
Statilius, Marius: (fl. late 3rd Century BC). Lucanian commander. In 216 BC, as a commander (prefect) of a troop of Lucanian cavalry in the Roman army, he fought against Hannibal.
Statilius, Stenius (or Statius): (fl. AD 1st part of the 3rd Century BC). A Lucanian leader who attacked Greek Thurii. As a consequence, in 285 BC, the Roman tribune of plebs, C. Aelius, issued a condemnation of Statilius. In thanks for this the people of Thurii awarded Aelius a statue and a golden crown.
Statilius Taurus: (fl. late 1st Century BC). Roman military commander and statesman (Consul 26 BC). Having served as consul suffectus in 37 BC, he served in Sicily in the following year against Sextus Pompey. He commanded Antony’s fleet which sailed from Tarentum and later secured Africa for Octavian. His son, T. Statilius Taurus, served as consul in AD 11.
Statte (TA): A commune in the province of Taranto.
Statius: (d. 43 BC). Samnite leader. Executed by order of the Second Triumvirate, he is probably identified with C. Papirius Mutilus, one of the principal Italian leaders in the Social War.
Statius “the Elder”, Publius Papinius: (b. c AD 50, in Neapolis; d, bef. AD 90). Poet.
Statius “the Younger”, Publius Papinius: (b.). Poet.
Statius Gellius: (fl. late 4th Century BC). Samnite general. In 305 BC, he was defeated and captured by the Romans.
Statius Metius: (fl. late 3rd Century BC). Italian military leader. In 214 BC, during the Second Punic War, he was an officer in Hannibal’s army. He commanded the garrison of 2,000 Campanians and 700 Carthaginians in defense of Casilinum. There is no record of his fate after the capture of that city by the Romans.
Stefanaconi (VV): A commune in the province of Vibo Valentia.
Stefano: (fl. late 8th Century). Ecclesiastic. He was a cardinal and Bishop of Capua (r786-?).
Stefano: (d. 1025). Ecclesiastic. He served as Bishop of Caiazzo and Abbot of S. Salvatore in Capua.
Stefano di Martino: fl. 1475-1495. Sculptor from Palermo.
stele: a slab or inscription.
Stella Cilento (SA): A commune in the province of Salerno.
Stephen I, St.: Pope. (rMay 12, 254-Aug 2, 257).
Stephen “II”: Pope. (rMar 23-25, 752). Dying only 3 days after his election, he had not yet been consecrated as a bishop. Because of this, his inclusion in the official list of popes is ambiguous. He was recognized as a legitimate only during the 16th century. In 1961, he was removed again. This has cause a problem in determining the numbering of later popes using the name of Stephen.
Stephen II (III): Pope. (rMar 26, 752-Apr. 26, 757).
Stephen III (IV): Pope. (rAug 1, 767-Jan 24, 772).
Stephen IV (V): Pope. (rJune 12, 816-Jan 24, 817).
Stephen V (VI): Pope. (r885-Sept 14, 891).
Stephen VI (VII): Pope. (rMay 22, 896-Aug 897).
Stephen VII (VIII): Pope. (rDec 928-Feb 931).
Stephen VIII (IX): Pope. (rJuly 14-Oct 942).
Stephen IX (X): Pope. (rAug 2, 1057-Mar 29, 1058).
Stephen (Stefano): Bishop of Naples (AD 898). He was the son of Gregory III (Duke of Naples rAD 865-870), and the brother of Duke Sergius III (r870-877) and Athanasius II (Bishop and Duke of Naples 877-898). He succeeded Athanasius as Bishop in 898.
stereobate: the visible base of a building, normally part of an ancient Greek temple.
Sternatia (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 2,583 (2006e).
Stidda (“bright star”): a criminal federation of gangs in southern and eastern Sicily created in the 1990s by “men of honor” who had been expelled from the mafia. Based in Gela, its members are called stiddari or stiddaroli, and its gangs are known as “clans” rather than families. Although not as tightly organized as the mafia, it is dedicated to toppling and replacing the Cosa Nostra. The organization’s name derives from the 5-pointed star which is tattooed on the right hand of each initiate.
Stigliano (MT): A commune in the province of Matera. Population: 5,259 (2006e).
Stignano (RC): A commune in the province of Reggio di Calabria.
Stilo (RC): A commune in the province of Reggio di Calabria.
Stio (SA): A commune in the province of Salerno.
Stornara (FG): A commune in the province of Foggia. Population: 4,706 (2006e).
Stornarella (FG): A commune in the province of Foggia. Population: 4,986 (2006e).
stornello: A variety of Sicilian folk song.
storia: A variety of southern Italian long song.
strategos (pl. strategoi): an ancient Greek general.
Streets of old Naples: Prior to the conquest of the Two Sicilies in 1860, the principal streets in Naples were known as Strade; after 1860, Vie. Cross-streets were designated as Vichi, while the narrow lanes which ascended hills were called Calate or Salite. Some of these last lanes were so steep that they required steps, and were called Gradoni.
Striano (NA): A commune in the province of Napoli.
Stromboli: an island of the Isole Eolie (Lipari Islands).
Strongoli (KR): A commune in the province of Crotone. Population: 6,172 (2006e)
Strongyle: One of the seven principal islands of the Aeoliae Insulae (Aeolian Islands), off the N coast of Sicily. This volcanic island was identified as the home of Aeolus, mythical ruler of the winds, because its inhabitants could tell which way the wind was about to blow by looking at the smoke rising from the volcano. Mod. Stromboli.
strina: A variety of Calabrian multi-part song.
stucco: a plaster made from water, lime, sand and powdered marble. It could be used as a medium to create moldings and other elaborate interior decoration.
Stupor Mundi: Literally “Wonder of the World”. A name given to Emperor Frederick II (b.1194; d.1250).
Sturno (AV): A commune in the province of Avellino. Population: 3,219 (2006e).
Succivo (CE): A commune in the province of Caserta. Population: 7,258 (2006e).
Suessa Aurunca (mod. Sessa Aurunca [CE]): A town of the ancient Aurunci located in northern Campania.
Suffragan: A diocese within an ecclesiastic province other than the Metropolitan.
Sulmo: Ancient name for Sulmona.
Sulmona (anc. Sulmo) (AQ): A commune in the province of L’Aquila. Population: 25,307 (2006e).
Sulmona-Valva, Diocese of: A diocese in the Ecclesiastical region of Abruzzo-Molise.
Suffragans:
Metropolitan: L’Aquila.
Conference Region: Abruzzo-Molise.
Area 1,814 km˛/ mi˛):
Total Population: 83,909
Catholic Population:
Total Priests: 76 (Diocesan: 54; Religious: 22)
Permanent Deacons: 1.
Parishes: 76.
History:
Summonte (AV): A commune in the province of Avellino. Population: 1,606 (2006e).
Supersano (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 4,469 (2006e).
Surano (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 1,755 (2006e).
Surbo (LE): A commune in the province of Lecce. Population: 13,842 (2006e).
surulina: A variety of bagpipe from Basilicata.
Sutera (CL): A commune in the province of Caltanissetta. Population: 1,621 (2006e).
Swabian Period: Royal dynasty from Swabia in Germany, ruling Sicily 1194-1265.
Sybaris: ancient city of Magna Graecia, S Italy, in Bruttium, on the Gulf of Tarentum (now Taranto). It was founded in 720 B.C. by Achaeans and people from Argolis, the Troezenians. It became a wealthy Greek city, and its inhabitants were reputed to live voluptuous lives, hence the word sybaritic. The Troezenians, ejected by the Achaeans, obtained the help of neighboring Croton and destroyed the city in 510 B.C. Thurii was supposedly built on the site.
Sylvia, St.: (d. AD 592). Mother of Pope St. Gregory I “the Great” (rAD 590-604). She is the patron saint of the city of Messina and of the Camaldolite Order. Feast Day: Nov. 3.
Symaethis (Gtk Symaithis): a Naiad nymph of the river Symaethos in Sicily. By the nature-god Pan-Faunus, she became the mother of the unfortunate shepherd boy Acis (see which).
Symaethus (Grk Symaithos): an ancient river-god in eastern Sicily mentioned by Ovid in his Metamorphosis. The headwaters of his river rose in the Nerodes Mountains in the NE part of the island. Its waters flowed around the foot of Aitna (Mt. Etna) and emptied into the Mediterranean Sea to the south of Katane (mod. Catania).
Symilos: an athlete of ancient Neapolis (Naples). He was victor in the Stadion at the Olympian Games in 248 BC.
Symmachos: an athlete of ancient Messene in Sicily. He was victor in the Stadion at the Olympian Games in 428 BC and 424 BC.
Symmachus, St.: Pope. (rNov 22, 498-July 19, 514).
Syracuse: The name is believed to derive from a non-Greek (perhaps Phoenician) verb serah (= to feel ill). This may reflect the fact that the original site of the city was located near a swamp.
Ancient Syracuse was so great in size and population at its height that each of its four quarters (Ortygia, Achradina, Tyche, and Neapolis) rivaled the size of other cities.
The city’s vast wealth derived in part from its exports which included cheese, tallow, grain, textiles, and ceramics.
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Timeline of Rulers of Syracuse: Gelon I (son of Deinomenes, brother of Hieron I and Thrasybulus) 485 – 478 BC Hieron I (son of Deinomenes, brother of Gelon I and Thrasybulus) 478 – 467 BC Thrasybulus (son of Deinomenes, brother of G… (full entry) Syracusia: A famous ship designed in c240 BC by Archimedes and built by Archias of Corinth for King Hieron II of Syracuse. (full entry) |