pinoli: pine nuts, particularly those of the Italian stone pine tree. They are often used in Sicily with currants in cuisine on Arab origins or influences.
Pisanelli, Giuseppe Ceva Grimaldi (Marchese di Pietracatella): (b. 1776). Statesman. He served as Minister Secretary of State/President of the Council of Ministers (Ministro Segretari di Stato – Presidente del Consiglio di Ministri) in the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies from 1839 to 1848.
Pisano, Nicola: (fl. AD 1258-1278). Sculptor. Mistakenly thought to have been from Pisa because of his name and that much of his work is found there, reliable evidence shows that he was a native of Apulia. A major figure of his time, he was the founder of his own school of sculpture. His techniques and style in the magnificent pulpits and fountains he created reveal that his initial train occurred in southern Italy. His son, Giovanni Pisano (c1250- after 1314), an accomplished sculptor and architect in his own right, collaborated on many of his projects. Principal Works: Marble Pulpit for the Baptistery in Pisa: 1259.Pulpit for the Cathedral at Siena: 1265-1268.Fonte Maggiore (bronze & marble) at Perugia: 1278.
Pithecusa: Ancient name for Ischia.
pizzica tarantata: An old form of tarantella.
Pizzo (VV): A commune in the province of Vibo Valentia.
Pizzone (IS): A commune in the province of Isernia. Population: 343 (2006e).
Pius I, St.: Pope. (rAD 140/142-155).
Pius II: Pope. (rAug 19, 1458-Aug 6, 1464).
Pius III: Pope. (rSept 22-Oct 18, 1503).
Pius IV: Pope. (rDec 25, 1559-Dec 9, 1565).
Pius V: Pope. (rJan 7, 1566-May 1, 1572).
Pius VI: Pope. (rFeb 15, 1775-Aug 29, 1799).
Pius VII: Pope. (r Mar 14, 1800-Aug 20, 1823).
Pius VIII: Pope. (rMar 31, 1829-Dec 1, 1830).
Pius IX: Pope. (rJune 16, 1846-Feb 7, 1878).
Pius X, St: Pope. (rAug 4, 1903-Aug 20, 1914).
Pius XI: Pope. (rFeb 6, 1922-Feb 10, 1939).
Pius XII (Eugene Pacelli): Pope. (rMar. 2, 1939-Oct. 9, 1958).
Pizza chiena: Neapolitan dialect name for a pizza ripiena (=stuffed pie) traditionally made in Campania and Abruzzo during Easter. It utilizes ricotta, mozzarella, and prosciutto, as well as pork products and seasonings.
Planctai: A possible ancient name for the Lipari Islands.
Plotinus: b. AD 204, Lycopolis, Egypt; d. AD 270 in Campania. Neo-Platonist philosopher. Having traveled extensively throughout Persia and India, he developed a philosophy which united elements of Plato’s teachings with elements of eastern beliefs. He became attached to the army of Emperor Gordian III during the latter’s expedition into Persia in AD 243. After Gordian’s assassination, Plotinus was forced to flee and safely reached Antioch. From there he continued on to Rome. There he became a noted lecturer and writer. He moved in the upper circles of Roman society and eventually won the friendship of Emperor Gallienus and Empress Salonina. He submitted a plan to Gallienus to have a ruined and deserted city in Campania rebuilt as a home for philosophers to be governed under the ideals laid down in Plato’s teachings. Gallienus showed great interest in building this city of Platonopolis, but was ultimately convinced by others that such a state could eventually threaten the empire’s political status quo. Plotinus eventually left Rome and traveled into Campania where he died at the age of 69.
Poli, Giuseppe Saverio: b. 1746, Molfetta; d. 1825. Physiologist. Educated at the University of Padua, he joined the army and, in 1776, was appointed professor of military geography at Naples by King Ferdinand I. Under that king’s direction, he was sent to various military academies in France, Germany, England and Holland, to study the different techniques. While visiting London, he became a member of the Royal Society. Upon his return to Naples, Poli took the post of professor of experimental philosophy at the university. He later became tutor to the crown prince and served as director of the military academy at Naples. He published an excellent illustrated work on anatomy, as well as others on geography and poetry.