MARLEN Magnum Pappvs (Pappus) Atellan Tales (Fabulae Atellane) Fountain Pen 

Oversized Yellow and Black ebonite cap and barrel, sterling silver trim, Medium (M) 18K gold two-tone nib, piston filling, Made in Italy.

Measures circa 15,4cm (capped).

With a Marlen display box, papers and outer box. The inkwell is missing.

The display box is suffering from severe degredation as a black, tacky substance transfers to your hands when you touch the display box. 

The pen appears to be in an unused state. Never inked.

The Marlen Pappus pen comes with a yellow and black livery, embodies the old, vicious man. 

This is the libidinous man that is also stingy: in his constant search for money, he is always duped, especially by his own wife. 

Pappus’ wife was indeed known to cheat on him with young and penniless men for whom she robbed her husband.

MACCVS - PAPPVS - DOSSENVS - BVCCVS

The antique Atellan Tales, which formed the foundations of the primitive Italian theatre, brought about distinct changes in the iconographic and literary fields. The Oscan city of Atella which was founded during the IV and V Century A. C. is situated in and around Sant'Arpino (Ce); where Marlen - Italy is currently located, in the South of Italy between Naples and Caserta.

Because of its important strategic and geographical position, Atella became the meeting point for many types of cultures and races, especially the Greeks, Samnites and Etruscans who were the immortal creators of the civilized and military societies. They urbanised the existence of this important city which also had its own monetary system.

After the Samnites second major war in 313 A. C. Atella became absorbed by the immense Roman Empire, which governed it by its own powerful  "Municipium " laws, which meant that it would become faithful to Rome during the social wars and thus obtaining its right to full citizenship.

During this prosperous period the city flourished and saw the full development of its forum and thermal baths. Emperor Ottaviano Augusto, on his triumphal return from the battle of Azio in 29 A.C., where he defeated Anthony and Cleopatra, stayed in Atella for several days. During this historical event he met the indistinguishable poet Virgilio, who recited the unknown Georgical poems assisted by the historical patron figure of Maecenas.

The city of Atella acquired a notable recognition for its literary qualities throughout the Roman Empire's domain until the XI Century A.D. and this is where the Atellan actors recited their primitive but immortal theatrical talents which brought to life the distinct origins of the Atellan Tales.

They used these antique masks to act out their comical and satirical Latin characters which successfully reflected the humoristic qualities of their advanced society in which the audience related to with immense ease.

Each mask represented a certain traditional and satirical character whose functions were easily distinguishable within this primitive but popular form of theatrical Latin comedy.

 Of the four masks, MACCUS is best remembered because he was the joker, fool and eccentric glutten, who historians say brought to life the origins of the world famous Pulcinella, his direct descendent. 

Of the three remaining masks, we have PAPPVS, who was stupid, greedy and lustful; then we have BOCCVS, who was gossipy, slanderous, a devourer and his mask was deformed by having a very large disproportioned mouth; and finally there was DOSSENVS the malicious gob and crafty swindler.

The basis of these controversial characters was highly influenced by the Greek culture, but the Oscans introduced and added the satirical and unbiased aspects to their existence. These plays were written in the Oscan language and eventually the Atellan Tales lost their vast popularity during the Imperial reign.

ABOUT MARLEN: Marlen was founded in 1982 in Sant’Arpino, in the province of Caserta, by  Mario and Antonio Esposito, and has reached high levels of production quality combining tradition and innovation.

Nota Bene:

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