Suevi. One of the greatest and most powerful races of Germany, or, more properly speaking, the collective name of a great number of German tribes, who were grouped together on account of their migratory mode of life, and spoken of in opposition to the more settled tribes, who went under the general name of Ingævones. The Suevi are described by all the ancient writers as occupying the greater half of all Germany; but the accounts vary respecting the part of the country which they inhabited. At a later time the collective name of the Suevi gradually disappeared. In the second half of the 2d century, however, we again find a people called Suevi, dwelling between the mouth of the Main and the Black Forest, whose name is still preserved in the modern Suabia; but this people was only a body of bold adventurers from various German tribes, who assumed the celebrated name of the Suevi in consequence of their not possessing any distinguishing appellation.
Suisses (Fr.). The Swiss soldiers who were in the pay of France previous to August 10, 1792, were generally so called. It was also a general term to signify stipendiary troops.
Suliots. A people in and around the valley of Acheron, the southern corner of the pashalic of Janina ([Epirus]), in Turkey in Europe, are a mixed race, being partly of Hellenic and partly of Albanian origin. They are the descendants of a number of families who fled from the Turkish oppressors to the mountains of Suli (whence they derive their name) during the 17th century. In this obscure corner of the Turkish empire they prospered, and towards the close of the 18th century numbered 560 families. For about fifteen years they heroically resisted the encroachments of Ali Pasha of Janina upon their independence, the very women taking part in the strife. Vanquished in 1803, they retreated to Parga, and afterwards to the Ionian Islands, where they remained till 1820, when their old oppressor, Ali Pasha, finding himself hard pressed by the Turks, invoked their aid. Eager to return to their cherished home, they accepted his terms, and under Marcos Bozzaris maintained a long and desperate conflict with the Turks, but were ultimately forced again to flee from their country, and take refuge to the number of 3000 in Cephalonia, though a large remnant preferred to skulk in the neighboring mountains. Though, after this, they took an active and glorious part in the war of Greek independence, their country was not included by the treaty of 1829 within the Greek boundary-line, but many of them, as Bozzaris (son of Marcos) and Tzavellas, have since been raised to important political offices in the new kingdom of Greece.
Sulphur. A simple mineral substance, of a yellow color, brittle, insoluble in water, easily fusible and inflammable;—called also brimstone,—that is, burn-stone, from its great combustibility. It burns with a blue flame and a peculiar suffocating odor. It is an ingredient of [gunpowder] (which see).
Sultan, or Sultaun. An Arabic word signifying the “mighty man,” and evidently closely connected with the Hebrew word shalal, “to rule,” is in the East an ordinary title of Mohammedan princes. It is given, par excellence, to the supreme head of the Ottoman empire. It is applied in Egypt to the ruler of that country, and is also retained by the heir of the former reigning line of the Crim-Tartars. Sultana is the title of the wife of a sultan.
Sumatra. The most westerly of the Sunda Islands, lies southwest of the Malay peninsula, from which it is separated by the Strait of Malacca. When the Portuguese landed here, in 1509, they found that the ancient Malay kingdom of Menangcabau had been dissolved; but there was a powerful monarch ruling over Acheen, who endeavored to exclude the strangers from his country. In 1575, the Portuguese shipping in the harbor of Acheen was destroyed by the natives, and in 1582, an attempt which they made to gain possession of the town proved quite unsuccessful. In 1600, the Dutch established a factory at Pulo Chinko, on the west coast. The kingdom of Acheen had by this time begun to decline in power, being distracted by internal wars and discords: The Dutch rapidly increased the number of their factories and settlements, founding one at Padang in 1649, at Palembang in 1664. The English followed the Dutch in this island, and founded a colony at Bencoolen in 1685. In 1811, the Dutch settlements in the East Indies fell into the hands of the British, but were restored to the Dutch by the peace of 1816. A singular war which took place in Sumatra led to a material extension of the Dutch possession. It was occasioned by a religious sect called Padries. About 1815 a society of this sect was formed for the purpose of spreading their doctrines and practices by force; and this speedily roused resistance and opposition. The Malays and Battas made common cause against the Padries, and for a long time a fierce struggle was carried on, which devastated Menangcabau and the neighboring regions. At length, with the assistance of the Dutch, the sect was entirely put down. The indirect results of this war were the annexation of Menangcabau to the Dutch possessions in 1835, and the opening up to them of the Batta country, from which foreigners had previously been excluded. In 1865, an expedition was sent to force the king of Asahan, one of the small states on the northeast coast, to submit to the Dutch authority. In 1871 these settlements were sold to Great Britain.
Summon. To call upon to surrender; as, to summon a fort.
Summons. A call or invitation to surrender.
Sumpit. An arrow blown from the sumpitan in Borneo. The sumpitan is about 7 feet long; the arrow has been driven with some force at 130 yards. Some suppose it to be poison.
Sumter, Fort. See [Fort Sumter].