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Sabines

(Encyclopedia)Sabines sāˈbīnz [key], ancient people of central Italy, centered principally in the Sabine Hills, NE of Rome. Not much dependable information on them can be gathered. They were probably Oscan-speak...

Spartacus

(Encyclopedia)Spartacus spärˈtəkəs [key], d. 71 b.c., leader in an ancient Italian slave revolt, b. Thrace. He broke out (73 b.c.) of a gladiators' school at Capua and fled to Mt. Vesuvius, where many fugitives...

Tongeren

(Encyclopedia)Tongeren tôngˈərən [key], Fr. Tongres, commune (1991 pop. 29,451), Limburg prov., E Belgium. It is the trade center of the productive Hesbaye farm region. As a center of Gaul, it was a major Roman...

Test Act

(Encyclopedia)Test Act, 1673, English statute that excluded from public office (both military and civil) all those who refused to take the oaths of allegiance and supremacy, who refused to receive the communion acc...

Bessarion

(Encyclopedia)Bessarion bĕsârˈēən [key], 1395?–1472, Byzantine humanist, cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church. He was a leading figure at the Council of Ferrara-Florence, which he attended as metropolitan o...

Perseus, king of Macedon

(Encyclopedia)Perseus, c.212–166 b.c., last king of Macedon (179–168 b.c.), son and successor of Philip V. He intrigued against his younger brother, Demetrius, eventually bringing about the latter's execution b...

Flora

(Encyclopedia)Flora, in Roman religion, goddess of flowers and fertility. Her festival, the Floralia, Apr. 28–May 1, was celebrated with great gaiety and licentiousness. ...

Appius Claudius

(Encyclopedia)Appius Claudius: see Claudius, Roman gens. ...

Macer

(Encyclopedia)Macer: see under Licinius, Roman gens. ...

Placidia

(Encyclopedia)Placidia, Roman empress: see Galla Placidia. ...