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L

(Encyclopedia)L, 12th letter of the alphabet. It is a usual symbol for a lateral consonant, as in the English lateral. The Greek correspondent is lambda. L is the Roman numeral for 50. ...

Good Thief

(Encyclopedia)Good Thief or Penitent Thief, in the New Testament, the malefactor crucified with Jesus who did not revile Him; Jesus promised him Paradise that day. In the Roman martyrology his feast is Mar. 25. His...

Posillipo

(Encyclopedia)Posillipo pōzēlˈlēpō [key], volcanic ridge, in Campania, S Italy, projecting into the northern part of the Bay of Naples. The town of Posillipo, a picturesque suburb of Naples, has interesting ru...

flamen

(Encyclopedia)flamen flāˈmĕn [key], in Roman religion, one of 15 priests, each concerned with the cult of a particular deity. The most honored were those dedicated to Jupiter, Mars, and Quirinus. ...

Eastern Empire

(Encyclopedia)Eastern Empire: see Roman Empire under Rome; Byzantine Empire. ...

Gruyère, La

(Encyclopedia)Gruyère, La lä grüyĕrˈ [key], district in Fribourg canton, W Switzerland. It is famous for its ...

Guadalajara, town, Spain

(Encyclopedia)Guadalajara, town, capital of Guadalajara prov., central Spain, in Castile–La Mancha, on the Henares River. Its economy is mainly agricultural. It flo...

Western Empire

(Encyclopedia)Western Empire: see Roman Empire under Rome and see Charlemagne. ...

Caudine Forks

(Encyclopedia)Caudine Forks kôˈdīn [key], narrow passes in the Southern Apennines, S Italy, on the road from Capua to Benevento. There, in 321 b.c., the Samnites routed a Roman army. ...

Leo III, Saint, pope

(Encyclopedia)Leo III, Saint, pope (795–816), a Roman; successor of Adrian I. He was attacked about the face and eyes by members of Adrian's family, who hoped to render him unfit for the papacy. Leo recovered and...