Years of mounting violence and terrorism in Italy reached a new level of ruthlessness and precision with the 1978 abduction and murder of Aldo Moro. This study holds terrorists from the extraparliamentary left responsible for the upsurge in Italian terrorism, and cites social inadequacies, political contradictions, and governmental weakness and permissiveness as underlying causes. Five operational patterns that reflect the structure and dynamics of leftist Italian terrorists are described: rigid clandestinity and systematic violence, simultaneous political action and armed struggle, spontaneous and sporadic terrorist actions, auxiliary support, and combined actions. A history of the Red Brigades (RB) provides insight into the terrorist phenomenon of the left. Issues covered include the escalation of violence, intimidation of the courts, political victims, retaliatory murders, propaganda tactics, and the RB's column and cell structure. Other terrorist organizations examined include the Partisan Action Groups, the Armed Proletarian Nuclei, and the Front Line. The study explores Italian Communist Party influence on terrorists, international connections, and counter-measures. Tables and references.