Blanda (2): (mod. Polecastro di Tortora [CS]). An ancient Bruttian settlement. The origin of its name is uncertain but may derive from the Indo-European root *bheleg- (= to shine).
Blasis, Carlo: (b. Naples, 1797; d. 1878). Dancer. After performing in France, England, Russia, and Italy, he took the post of director of the Dance Academy in Milan in 1837. He wrote several treatises on standardizing ballet techniques and is considered to be the most important ballet teacher iof the 19th Century.
Blera: (mod. Gravina in Puglia [BA]). A town in ancient Messapia, situated on the Via Appia between Silvium and Sub Lupatia.
Bloodletting, Medicinal: The ancient medical practice of bloodletting as a cure survived in Naples until well into the 19th century. In January 1851 Scientific American mentioned that Neapolitans still commonly used bloodletting is cases where, in contemporary America, it would have been considered fatal to the patient. Bleeding was practiced by professionals who set up businesses in the narrows lanes of Naples. Such establishments were marked by signs depicting a nude man with streams of blood flowing from the arm, neck, and foot. These shops were constantly busy, especially in the spring when, it was commonly believed, everyone should undergo a bleeding as a form of preventative medicine.
Blosius (or Blossius): An important family of ancient Campania.
Blosius of Cumae (full name: C. Blosius): (fl. 2nd Century BC). Philosopher. A follower of Antipater of Tarsus, he was a friend and client of Tiberius Gracchus. Upon the death of the latter in 133 BC, Blosius fled to the court of King Aristonicus of Pergamum. When Pergamum fell to the Romans, Blosius committed suicide to avoid capture.
Blue Grotto (Grotta Azzurra) of Capri: Situated on the N coast of the island of Capri, the Blue Grotto is accessible using a light boat through an entrance so low that it required occupants to deeply duck or lie down. The grotto’s ceiling then rises to a height of 41 feet, while the depth of the water averages 8 fathoms. The cave has a length of 175 feet and a maximum width of 100 feet. The blue color for which the grotto is named fills the interior and is the result of light refraction. Within the grotto are the remains of an ancient landing place and some broken steps leading to a now-sealed passage. It is thought that this passage was an ancient land entrance to the cave and was associated with the villa of the Roman Emperor Tiberius at Damecuta. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, knowledge of the Blue Grotto was forgotten. It wasn’t rediscovered until 1822.
Blufi (PA): A commune in the province of Palermo.
Boccacci: a 19th Century type of firearm with a wide, trumpet-like muzzle. It was particularly popular among the Calabrians.
Bocchigliero (CS): A commune in the province of Cosenza. Population: 1,764 (2006e).
bocconcini: “little balls” made from fresh mozzarella cheese. The cheese is produced from fresh cows’ milk in balls of two sizes. The larger of the two is generally what is termed mozzarella while the smaller size balls of the same cheese are called bocconcini. Production of Mozzarella and bocconcini is centered in the regions of Campania, Abruzzo and Molise.
Boeo, Capo: The westernmost point of land on the main island of Sicily. It is the site of the ancient Lilybaeum and present day Trapani.
Bojano (anc. Bovianum Vetus) (CB): A commune in the province of Campobasso. Population: 8,278 (2006e).
Bolognano (PE): A commune in the province of Pescara.
Bolognese, Domenico: (b. Nov. 1819, Naples; d. Jan 2, 1881, Naples). Librettist and poet.
Bolognetta (PA): A commune in the province of Palermo.
Bomba (CH): A commune in the province of Chieti. Population: 946 (2006e).
Bomba, King (“King Bomb“): A nickname given to Ferdinand II, King of the Two Sicilies (d.1859). It referred to his orders to allow the bombardment of the cities of Messina and Palermo during the Sicilian revolution of 1848-9.
Bomilcar: (fl. 2nd part of the 3rd Century BC). Carthaginian naval commander. In 215 BC, he delivered supplies to Hannibal in Italy during the 2nd Punic War. In 214 BC, he commanded a fleet of 55 ships in an unsuccessful attempt to break the Roman siege of Syracuse. In 212 BC, he made a new attempt the rescue Syracuse which also ultimately failed. He then turned his attention to helping the Tarentines in their siege of the Roman citadel in their city. The only result of this, however, was the faster depletion of the Tarentines own supplies. He was, thus, forced to withdraw from Italy.