Parodi, Renato: b. 14 Dec. 1900, Naples. d. 16 Mar. 1974, Rome. Composer.
Parthenope: In classical mythology, one of the Sirens. She had cult centers located in the cities of Neapolis (Naples) and Velia, in Magna Graecia.
Parthenopean Republic: [from Parthenope, an ancient name of Naples], state set up in Naples in Jan., 1799, by the French Revolutionary army under General Championnet and by liberal Neapolitans after the flight of King Ferdinand IV (later Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies). In 1798, Ferdinand had joined the Second Coalition against the French Revolution. His army was unable to halt the French, and Naples was conquered. In February, Cardinal Ruffo, at the head of royalist troops, landed in Calabria and attempted to oust the French. Military reverses in N Italy prompted the evacuation by the French of Naples in May, and in June the republic fell. Admiral Horatio Nelson, whose role in the victory was crucial, ignored Cardinal Ruffo’s generous convention with the surrendering revolutionists and started the brutal reprisals that were continued by the restored king. The executions and imprisonments brought to an end the 18th-century Enlightenment in Naples.
Paschal I: Pope. (rJan 25, 817-Feb 11, 824).
Paschal II: Pope. (rAug 13, 1099-Jan 21, 1118).
Passaro, Andrea: (fl. 1826-1850). Librettist. He was active in Naples.
pastiera napolitana: a pastry of Naples made at Easter time. It consists as a cheesecake with cooked, whole wheat berries (known as grano), diced candied fruit, and orange water in a pastry crust. The pastiera napolitana made in the United States often substitutes barley or rice instead of wheat berries.
Patriarch: Bishop of a patriarchal see.
Patrizio (Patrician): A title often used by influential families in many Italian cities.
Paul I: Pope. (rMay 29, 757-June 28, 767).
Paul II: Pope. (rAug 30, 1464-July 26, 1471). He was the nephew of Pope Eugene IV (r1431-1447).
Paul III: Pope. (rOct 13, 1534-Nov 10, 1549).
Paul IV: Pope. (original name Gian Pietro Carafa). (b. June 28, 1476, in Capriglia; d. Aug. 18, 1559). (rMay 23, 1555-Aug. 18, 1559). In 1505, He became bishop of Chieti and, in 1518 he was raised to the position of archbishop of Brindisi (to 1524). In 1536, he was chosen a Cardinal, and, in 1549 became archbishop of Naples to 1555.
Paul V: Pope. (rMay 16, 1605-Jan. 28, 1621).
Paul VI: Pope. (rJune 21, 1963-Aug 6, 1878).
Paupisi (BN): A commune in the province of Benevento. Population: 1,473 (2006e).
Pausilypum (mod. Posilippo): (=grief-assuaging). Originally the name for a grand villa near ancient Neapolis (Naples), it was willed to Augustus by Vedius Pollio. The name was later attached to the famed grotto/tunnel which was cut between Neapolis and Puteoli. It was created by the architect Cocceius, on the order of Marcus Agrippa. The tomb of Virgil was located near its western mouth.
Pazzano (RC): A commune in the province of Reggio Calabria.
Pedace (CS): A commune (area: 51 km²) in the province of Cosenza. Population: 2,078 (2006e).
Pedara (CT): A commune in the province of Catania. Population: 11,658 (2006e).
Pedivigliano (CS): A commune in the province of Cosenza. Population: 929 (2006e).
Pelagian Islands (Isole Pelagie) (AG): A small group of volcanic islands (Lampedusa, Linosa, and Lampione) situated in the Mediterranean Sea between Malta and Tunisia. Totalling about 25.5 km² in area, they are attached to the province of Agrigento.
Pelagius I: Pope. (rApr. 16, 556-Mar 4, 561).
Pelagius II: Pope. (rNov 26, 579-Feb 7, 590).
Peligni: An ancient people who once inhabited parts of Abruzzo. Related to the Sabines, their principal towns included Corfinium and Sulmo (mod. Sulmona). Among the principal groups who rebelled against Rome during the Social War, they suffered severely from the depredations of Sulla.
Pellegrini, Camillo: (b. 1598, at Capua; d. 1663). Historian and antiquarian. Educated at the Jesuit College at Naples, he entered that order and was sent to Rome. There he began researching documents and other resources related to the history of the kingdom of Naples. He eventually published important works on the antiquities of ancient Capua and the medieval Lombard states.