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Ptolemaic system

(Encyclopedia)Ptolemaic system tŏlˌəmāˈĭk [key], historically the most influential of the geocentric cosmological theories, i.e., theories that placed the earth motionless at the center of the universe with a...

Antonelli, Giacomo

(Encyclopedia)Antonelli, Giacomo jäˈkōmō äntōnĕlˈlē [key], 1806–76, Italian cardinal and statesman of the Roman Catholic Church, adviser to Pope Pius IX. He received the red hat of the cardinalate in 184...

Rafa

(Encyclopedia)Rafa or Rafah both: räˈfä [key], town in the present Gaza Strip on the Egyptian border. The ancient name was Raphia. There in 217 b.c., Ptolemy IV defeated Antiochus III. ...

Alexander Balas

(Encyclopedia)Alexander Balas bāˈləs [key], d. 145 b.c., ruler of Syria, putative son of Antiochus IV. He seized power from his uncle Demetrius I (c.152 b.c.); Jonathan the Maccabee supported him. He died in bat...

Arrian

(Encyclopedia)Arrian (Flavius Arrianus) ârˈēən [key], fl. 2d cent. a.d., Greek historian, philosopher, and general, b. Nicomedia in Bithynia. He was governor of Cappadocia under Emperor Hadrian and in a.d. 134 ...

Cleomenes III

(Encyclopedia)Cleomenes III, c.260–219 b.c., king of Sparta (235–221 b.c.). He was probably the most energetic king Sparta ever had, a conscious imitator of Agis III (see under Agis). In his determined effort t...

Eumenes

(Encyclopedia)Eumenes yo͞oˈmĭnēz [key], c.361–316 b.c., secretary to Philip II of Macedon and to Alexander the Great. A Thracian Greek, he was capable, diplomatic, and eloquent and proved himself able as a ge...

Famagusta

(Encyclopedia)Famagusta fämägo͞oˈstä [key], Gr. Ammochostos, city, E Cyprus, on Famagusta Bay. An impo...

Vincennes, town, France

(Encyclopedia)Vincennes văNsĕnˈ [key], town (1990 pop. 42,651), Val-de-Marne dept., N central France, an industrial and residential suburb E of Paris. Radio, electrical, and photographic equipment, machinery, an...

Blanche of Castile

(Encyclopedia)Blanche of Castile bläNsh, kăstēlˈ [key], 1185?–1252, queen of Louis VIII of France and regent during the minority (1226–34) of their son Louis IX. A forceful and capable ruler, she checked th...