Isolé (Fr.). This word is used among the French, to express any body or thing which is detached from another. It is variously applied in fortification. Thus a pavilion or a barrack which is not joined to any other wall or building is called isolé, because it stands alone, and a person may walk entirely round it. A parapet is also said to be isolé when there is an interval of 4 or 5 feet existing between the rampart and its wall; which interval serves as a path for the rounds.
Ispahan. A famous city of Persia, capital of the province of Irak-Ajemi, situated on the Zendarud. In 1722 it was taken by the Afghans, and in 1729 was retaken by Nadir Shah. It has fallen gradually into decay.
Issue. Event; consequence; the ultimate result of any undertaking; the termination of any contest. A term also applied to the distribution of supplies; as, issue of rations, issue of clothing, etc., to troops.
Issues. In the British service, are certain sums of money which are, at stated periods, given to public accountants for public service; and for the honest distribution of which, every individual so intrusted is responsible to Parliament. Regimental issues are moneys paid by regimental agents, acting under the authority of their respective colonels, for regimental purposes.
Issus. An ancient city and seaport in Cilicia, in Asia Minor, close to the frontier of Syria, on or near the head of the Sinus Issicus, now the Gulf of Scanderoon. It was in the neighborhood of this city that Alexander the Great annihilated the Persian army under Darius in 333 B.C. Here too was fought (194 A.D.), the bloody battle between Septimus Severus and Pescennius Niger, by virtue of which the former became sole master of the Roman empire. The exact site of Issus has not yet been discovered.
Istalif. A town of Afghanistan, province of Cabul (Cabool). It was taken and partly destroyed by the British in 1842.
Italy. A peninsula in the south of Europe. The invading Pelasgians from Greece, and the aborigines (Umbrians, Oscans, and Etruscans), combined, formed the renowned Latin race still possessing the southern part of Europe. The history of Italy is soon absorbed into that of Rome, founded 753 B.C. Previous to the 15th century it was desolated by intestine wars and the interference of the German emperors; since then, Spain, France, and Germany have struggled for the possession of the country, which has been divided among them several times. Spain predominated in Italy during the 16th and 17th centuries; but was compelled to yield to the house of Austria at the beginning of the 18th century. The victories of Bonaparte in 1797-98 changed the government of Italy; but the Austrian rule was re-established at the peace of 1814. In 1848 the Milanese and Venetians revolted and joined Piedmont, but were subdued by Radetzky. The hostile feeling between Austria and Piedmont gradually increased till war broke out in April, 1859, in which the Austrians were defeated, and the kingdom of Italy was re-established in 1861. Another war with Austria was declared in June, 1866, but peace was signed in October, same year, and Venetia was ceded to Italy. For other details, see Rome and the various Italian cities throughout this volume.
Ithome. A mountain fortress of Messenia, memorable for the defense there made for many years against the Spartans in the first Messenian war. It was afterwards the citadel of Messene, when that city was founded by Epaminondas.
Itinerairies (Fr.). Itinerary movements or days of march. A technical phrase among the French to denote the order and the disposition which a body of men or an army is directed to observe in its march from one camp to another, or to any particular quarter or destination.
Itzehoe. An ancient town in the duchy of Holstein. The original castle around which Itzehoe was built by Charlemagne in 809. This town was twice taken by Tilly in the Thirty Years’ War, and in 1657 a great portion of it was burned down by the Swedes.