polis: an ancient Greek city-state.
Polyphemus (Polphemos): one of the lawless race of cannibal Cyclopes said to have inhabited eastern Sicily in mythological times. He was the son of the sea-god Poseidon and the nymph Thoosa. According to one myth, he loved the beautiful sea nymph Galatia who was repulsed by his monstrous appearance and savage ways. When he learned that Galatea loved the youth Acis, he slew the boy in a jealous rage, crushing him beneath a great stone.
Polyphemus is best-known for the part he plays in Homer’s Odyssey. When Odysseus and his companions raid Polyphemus’s cave, discovers and traps them inside. After Polyphemus kills and devours some of the Greeks, Odysseus succeeds in getting him drunk on wine. As Polyphemus falls asleep, the surviving Greeks blind him with a burning stake. The enraged, and now blinded, Cyclops rolls away the stone blocking the entrance to his cave, allowing the Greeks to escaped. Polyphemus attempted to sink the ships of the departing Greeks by hurling great stones at them but, unable to see, he is unable to hit them. At last the wounded giant called out to his father Poseidon to avenge him.
Polyphemus’s name means “many-worded”, deriving from the Greek words poly (many) and phêmê (words).
Polyphemus is strongly associated which the the area around Mt. Etna. He and the other cyclopes are usually described as shepherds and may have been modeled on the early pastorial population who dwelt there prior to the time of Greek colonization.
polyptych (Ital. polittico): a painting executed on several attached wooden panels.
Polystephanos Theo: An ancient Sicilian goddess similar in her aspects to the Greek Artemis. She had an important sanctuary near Butera [CL] which was in use from the archaic era to Roman imperial times.
Pomperio: Name of an ancient Oscan festival.
Pontano (Pontanus), Giovanni-Gioviano: (b. 1426, Cerreto, Umbria; d. 1503). Writer and scholar. While a student in Perugia, his studies were interrupted by political unrest and he turned to a military career. In 1447, he served in the army of King Alfonso I of Naples in the latter’s war against Florence. He returned with the army to Naples where he became the pupil, and later successor to Antonio Panormita, secretary to Ferdinand I. Pontano went on to serve in the same office under Alfonso the II and Ferdinand II. In 1486, he served as Ferdinand I’s ambassador to Pope Innocent VIII in arranging a treaty of peace. He impressed the pope who awarded him honors. Pontano was thwarted in his hopes of receiving high office under Alfonso II, for which he developed a great resentment towards the king. The most significant contributions of Pontano were in his connection to the Academy founded at Naples by Panormita. He helped promote it into one of Italy’s great Renaissance institutions. He produced some of that era’s finest Latin works of poetry, science, philosophy and several other topics. As an historian, he composed works on the wars between Ferdinand I of Naples and John, Duke of Anjou.
Ponti delle Valle: an aqueduct built by the 18th century architect Vanvitelli to carry water to the gardens of the Palazzo Reale at Caserta. Rising 200 feet in height, this 3-tiered structure measures a length of 24 miles.
Pontine Marshes: A large tract of marshy ground in the southern portion of Latium (Campagna di Roma). Extending inland from the coast of the Sea of Tuscany for about 25 miles, from Cisterna on the N to Terracina on the S, it marked part of the former frontier between the Papal States and kingdom of the Two Sicilies.
Pontian, St.: Pope. (rJuly 21, 230-Sept 28, 235).
population of southern Italy, ancient: Throughout ancient times most the southern Italian mainland was thinly population. At the end of the Second Punic War, much of what had existed in many areas was wiped out during Hannibal’s depredations and the Roman efforts to stop him. Campania was the only area which enjoyed a free population of any size. Prior to the Samnite Wars, the Italic Samnites did experience significant spurts in their population. These were usually dealt through emigration to new areas. The Samnite Wars, however, caused profound change. The loss of fertile agricultural lands to the Romans meant the need for a smaller population.