Bella Sombra: A Spanish name used by the Sicilians for the Japanese kiri, a tree introduced into Sicily and much used to line avenues.
Bellante (TE): A commune in the province of Teramo.
Bellini, Vincenzo: (b. 3 Nov, 1801, Catania. d. 23 September 1835, Puteaux ,France). Operatic Composer.
Bellizzi (SA): A commune in the province of Salerno.
Bellona (CE): A commune in the province of Caserta. Population: 5,106 (2006e).
Bellosguardo (SA): A commune in the province of Salerno.
Belmonte Calabro (CS): A commune in the province of Cosenza. Population: 2,511 (2006e).
Belmonte del Sannio (IS): A commune in the province of Isernia. Population: 878 (2006e).
Belmonte Mezzagno (Sic. Bilmunti Minzagnu) (PA): A commune in the province of Palermo.
Belpasso (CT): A commune in the province of Catania. Population: 22,378 (2006e).
Belsito (CS): A commune in the province of Cosenza. Population: 961 (2006e).
belvedere: a terrace or lookout point. It was usually a roofed structure like a gazebo situated at a high point.
In Italy, belvederes could be freestanding structures or attached to a larger building. It is often identical to a loggia.
Belvedere di Spinello >(KR): A commune in the province of Crotone. Population: 2,402 (2006e).
Belvedere Marittimo (CS): A commune in the province of Cosenza. Population: 9,321 (2006e).
Belus: The Latin name for the Semitic god Baal. Baal, whose name means “master”, “owner” or “lord”, was worshiped as a sun god/fertility god throughout the Mediterranean world wherever the Semitic Phoenicians and Carthaginians established themselves. His worship, which included the practice of human sacrifice, was one of the principal reasons for hatred shown to the Carthaginians by the Greeks and Romans. Baal is identified in biblical writings with the fallen angel Beelzebub or Baalzebub, derived from the Canaanite Baal-Zebul (= “Prince Baal”). In Sicily and Sardinia, where the Phoenicians and Carthaginians had planted colonies, Baal (in the company of his wife Tanit) was generally worshipped, as Baal-Hammon (= “Lord of the incense-altars”). Despite this seemingly pleasant name, archaeologists have found that his altars here were just like those where human sacrifices were offered to him in other locations. One center of his worship was at Lilybaeum, in western Sicily, where a now-lost temple of Baal-Hammon stood.
Benassai, Giuseppe: (b. 1835 at Reggio di Calabria; d. 1878). Painter.
Benedict I: Pope. (rJune 2, 575-July 30, 579).
Benedict II: Pope. (r June 26, 684-May 8, 685).
Benedict III: Pope. (r855-Apr. 7, 858).
Benedict IV: Pope. (r900-903).
Benedict V: Pope. (rMay 22-June 23, 964). He was raised to the Papal throne during a revolt in Rome against Leo XII. Emperor Otto I deposed him and restored Leo XII to power.
Benedict VI: Pope. (rJan 19, 973-June 974).
Benedict VII: Pope. (rOct 974-July 10, 983).
Benedict VIII: Pope. (rMay 18, 1012-Apr 9, 1024).
Benedict IX: Pope. (r1032-1044; 1045-1046; Nov 1047-1048).
Benedict X (Giovanni Filagatto): Antipope. (r1058-1059).
Benedict XI (Niccolo Boccasini): (b. 1240; d. July 7, 1304, in Perugia). Pope. (rOct 22, 1303-July 7, 1304). The son of a notary from Treviso, he entered the Dominican order in 1257, becoming the General of that Order in 1296. In 1298, he became Cardinal Bishop of Ostia. In 1302, he succeeded Boniface VIII as pope. He had reigned only about 8 months when he died, rumored to have been the victim of poisoned figs.
Benedict XII: Pope. (rDec 20, 1334-Apr 25, 1342).
Benedict XIII: Pope. (rMay 29, 1724-Feb 21, 1730).
Benedict XIV: Pope. (rAug 17, 1740-May 3, 1758).
Benedict XV: Pope. (rSept 3, 1914-Jan 22, 1922).
Benedict XVI: Pope. (rApr 19, 2005- ).
Benestare (RC): A commune in the province of Reggio Calabria.
Benevento, Province of: A province on Campania. Area: 2,071 km². Population: 289,201 (2006e); 287,042 (2001).
Benevento (BN): A city and provincial capital of the province of Benevento, in northern Campania. Area: 129.96 km². Population: 62,958; (2007e); 63,026 (2006e); 61,791 (2001); 62,561 (1991); 62,636 (1981).