Historic Population Figures: 3,958(1861); 4,625(1901); 4,819(1921); 6,585(1951); 7,111(1981); 7,348(2001).
Agesias: An athlete of ancient Syracuse. He was victor in the Apene at the Olympian Games in 468 BC.
Agesidamos: An athlete of ancient Locri Epizephyri. He was victor in Boy’s Boxing in the Olympian Games in 476 BC.
Aggia, Torrente: A short torrential stream (length: 4 km) in Basilicata. It rises on the slopes of the Serra Longa (1,097 m) and flows into the river Agri at Casa Palermo near Paterno (PZ).
Agilulf: (d. AD 616). Duke of Turin (r589-590). King of Italy (r590-616). Assuming the Lombard throne in AD 590, he devoted his energies to the strengthening and consolidation of his kingdom. Having defeated the Byzantines at Ravenna, Agilulf laid siege to Rome. He spared the city from plunder only after the payment of a heavy tribute by Pope Gregory I. Despite these successes, Agilulf was unable to secure control over the autonomous duchies of Spoleto and Benevento.
Agira (EN): (anc. Agyrium, Agyrion; mod. S. Filippo d’Agiro). A commune (area: 163.1 km²; population: 8,285 (2006e); 8,171(2004); 8,348 [2001]; 9,150 (1991)) in the province of Enna, in eastern Sicily. It sits on a high hill (824 m) overlooking the valleys of the river Salso and the river Dittaino. The modern town sits on the site of ancient Agyrion (Agyrium). Part of Regione Agraria n. 3 – Colline del Salso.
Historic Population Figures: 11,588(1861); 17,634(1901); 25,717(1921); 16,528(1951); 9,146(1981).
The modern version of its name derives from the belief that St. Philip the Apostle was buried there. The town is of very ancient origins and is connected with the legend and worship of Hercules. Founded by the Sikels, it was first mentioned historically when its tyrant, Agyris, became an ally of Dionysius I of Syracuse against the Carthaginians in 339 BC. Somewhat later (339 BC), another tyrant, Apolloniades, was expelled from Agira by Timoleon, and the people of the town were given Syracusan citizenship. Agira’s most famous citizen was the historian Diodorus Siculus, born there in 50 BC. The town has an interesting castle and a number of churches. In one of these, the Realbatia, can be seen the cell and tomb of St. Philip. Remains of an ancient Greek fortification can also be seen. According to ancient mythology, the hero Hercules passed by here while driving the oxen of Geryon. Marks were left in the ground reputed to have been made the animals’ hooves. The ancient town was said to sit on land won by Hercules after defeating the giant Eryx in a wrestling match.
Aglianico: A red wine grape found throughout much of Basilicata, Campania and Puglia. The grape was originally brought to Italy by the ancient Greeks and Phoenicia. This ancient origin is remembered in the grape’s name which is believed to derive from Ellenico (=Greek). Some sources, however, believe the name derives from Apulianicum (=Apulia).
Aglianico del Vulturno (or Bartolo): a variety of dry, red wine produced by the Aglianico grapes on the vineyards of M. Vulture in Basilicata.
Agliata: a type of garlic sauce or cream of medieval origins.
Agliata, Francesco (1): (fl. mid-15th Century). Government official. He served as protonotary under Queen Joanna II and King Alfonso I “the Magnanimous.” Some of his works has survived under the title of Allegazioni.
Agliata, Francesco (2): (fl. 17th Century). Poet. A native of Palermo, he was the son of the prince of Villafranca. Several members of this noble family became notable writers of poetry and prose. Best-known as the author of Chansons Siciliennes, he is sometimes confused with Gerard Agliata, a 16th Century poet also from Palermo.
Agliata, Gerard: (fl. 16th Century). Poet. A Sicilian probably from Palermo. He composed some verses which were included in the Collection of the Academy of the Accesi at Palermo.
Agliata, Giovanni: (b. Palermo; d. 1675). Lawyer. He held several important government posts, including Protonotary during his career.
Agnana Calabra >(RC): A commune in the province of Reggio di Calabria.