Aqueduct. A channel to convey water from one place to another. Aqueducts in military architecture are generally made to bring water from a spring or river to a fortress, etc.; they are likewise used to carry canals over low ground, and over brooks or small rivers; they are built with arches like a bridge, only not so wide, and are covered by an arch, to prevent dust or dirt from being thrown into the water,—there are also subterranean aqueducts, such as pipes of wood, lead, or iron.
Aquila (Southern Italy). Near here the Aragonese, under the condottiere Braccio Fortebraccio, were defeated by the allied Papal, Neapolitan, and Milanese army under Jacob Caldora, June 2, 1424. Braccio, a wounded prisoner, refused to take food, and died, June 5.
Aquila. The principal standard of a Roman legion. The standard of Romulus is said to have consisted of a handful of hay, straw, or fern, affixed to a pole or spear; whence the company of soldiers who served under it was called [Manipulus]. This primitive standard was soon superseded by the figures of animals. In 104 B.C. the eagle was permanently adopted; it was made of silver or bronze, and was represented with expanded wings.
Aquilifer. A name given by the Romans to the officers who carried the eagles of the legions.
Aquitaine. A province in the southwest of France; conquered by the Romans in 28 B.C.; by the Visigoths, 418; taken from them by Clovis in 507. Henry II. of England obtained it with his wife Eleanor, 1152. It was erected into a principality for Edward the Black Prince in 1362; but was annexed to France in 1370. The title of duke of Aquitaine was taken by the crown of England on the conquest of this duchy by Henry V. in 1418. The province was lost in the reign of Henry VI.
Arabia. A tract of land in Western Asia; the terms Petræa (stony), Felix (happy), and Deserta are said to have been applied to its divisions by Ptolemy, about 140. Arabia was unsuccessfully invaded by Gallus, the Roman governor of Egypt, 24 B.C. In 622, the Arabians under the name of [Saracens] (which see), followers of Mohammed, their general and prophet, commenced their course of conquest. The Arabs greatly favored literature and the sciences, especially mathematics, astronomy, and chemistry. To them we owe our ordinary (Arabic) numerals and arithmetical notation.
Aracillum. A city in Spain. The Cantabrians being besieged in this city by the Romans, killed each other rather than surrender.
Aradus (now Ruad). A city of Phœnicia; captured by the Roman general Ventidius, 38 B.C.
Aragon. Part of the Roman Tarraconensis, a kingdom, Northeast Spain, was conquered by the Carthaginians, who were expelled by the Romans about 200 B.C. It became an independent monarchy in 1035.
Aranjuez (Central Spain). Contains a fine royal palace, at which several important treaties were concluded. On March 17, 1808, an insurrection broke out here against Charles IV. and his favorite, Godoy, the Prince of Peace. The former was compelled to abdicate in favor of his son, Ferdinand VII., March 19.