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Symmachus, Quintus Aurelius

(Encyclopedia)Symmachus, Quintus Aurelius sĭmˈəkəs [key], c.345–c.405, Roman government official and orator. Educated in Gaul, he held several official positions, including the consulship in 391. He is best k...

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...

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...

Aglipay, Gregorio

(Encyclopedia)Aglipay, Gregorio grāgōˈrēō äglēpīˈ [key], 1860–1940, Philippine clergyman. A priest who joined the revolutionary forces of Emilio Aguinaldo, he was excommunicated (1902). He took his follo...

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...

Macer

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

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. ...

Saturnalia

(Encyclopedia)Saturnalia: see Saturn, in Roman religion. ...

Placidia

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