Bruttii (Bruttians): The ancient Italic inhabitants of the “toe” of the Italian Peninsula.
Bruttiorum ager: Alternative name for Bruttii.
Bruttium: An alternate name for ancient Bruttii, the toe of the Italian peninsula.
Bruttium et Lucania (Regio III): one of the eight provinces of Italy created by the Roman Emperor Augustus in the late 1st Century AD. As the name suggests its territory encompassed the traditional regions of Bruttium (mod. Calabria) and Lucania (Basilicata). The province was governed by a praesides or corrector.
Bruttius Praesens, Gaius: (fl. AD late 1st – mid 2nd Century). A Roman senator from Lucania, he was a friend of Pliny the Younger. Although he began his political career under Domitian, he was not able to advance until the reign of Trajan. Under this last emperor, Bruttius distinguished himself as a military commander during the war against the Parthians (AD 115-116). as a reward, he received the governorship of Cilicia, and was serving in that post when Trajan died in 117. His career continued to thrive under Trajan’s successor, Hadrian. He served as legate in Cappadocia and then Moesia. he was proconsul of Africa and legate in Syria. In AD 139, he served as consul in partnership with the new emperor Antoninus Pius. He may have also held the office of city prefect of Rome. He was the grandfather of Crispina, the wife of the emperor Commodus.
Bruttius sinus: (mod. Golfo di Gioia). A bay on the Tyrrhenian coast of ancient Bruttii. The principal port was Metaurum (mod. Gioia Tauro [RC]).
Bruzzano, Capo (RC): A promontory on the E (Ionian) coast of Calabria, located to the S of the mouth of the river La Verde (lower Aposcipo), near Africo.
Bruzzano Vecchio (RC): A frazione of Bruzzano Zeffirio (RC). It was founded by the Saracens in the 11th century.
Bruzzano Zeffirio (RC): A commune (area: 18 km²; alt. 82 m) in the province of Reggio di Calabria. It is located 67 km ESE of Reggio di Calabria, situated on a hill to the left of the torrent Pantano Grande. Population: 1,842 (1991).
Bryson of Heraclea: (b. Heraclea, c450 BC). Mathematician. The son of Herodorus of Heraclea, he was a member of the Pythagorean school, and worked towards defining the quadrature of the circle. Because he was a Sophist, Bryson was disliked by Aristotle. The latter criticized Bryson’s method for squaring a circle despite the fact that later mathematicians have called it “an important step forward in the development of mathematics.”
Brystacia: (mod. Umbriatico [KR]). Ancient town of the Oenotri, Bruttium, W of Crimisa.
Bubulcus, Gaius Junius: (fl. late 4th Century BC). Roman politician and military leader. He held consulships in 317 BC, 313 BC, and 311 BC. In his third consulship he led the Roman army against the Samnites.
Buca: (mod. Penna [TE]). Port of the ancient Frentani, SE of the river Sagnus.
Buccheri (SR): A commune (area: 57.4 km²; alt. 812 m) in the province of Siracusa. Located 56 km W of Siracusa, it is situated on a slope of the N edge of the plain of Buccheri, on the E slope of M. Lauro. Population: 2,755 (1991). The economy is principally agricultural (olives, olive oil), but the center is also a summer resort.
History: The center predates the Saracen era. Under the Normans, it became an important feudal holding.
Points of Interest: The church of the Madonna has a fine 18th century façade ans an impressive interior.
The baroque church of Sant’Antonio is a notable religious monument.
The principal secular monument is a ruined medieval castle located near the center.
Bucchianico (CH): A commune (area: 38 km²) in the province of Chieti. Located 10 km S of Chieti, it is situated along the watershed between the rivers Alento and Forio. Population: 4,990 (2006e); 4,805 (1991). The economy is based on agricultura and pasta making.
History: The town is best known as the birthplace of Camillo de Lellis.