Abbadids. 1023-91. Moslem dynasty in Andalusia.

Abbas, Ferhat. 1899-1995. First President of independent Algeria 1962-3.

Abbas II. 1874-1944. Last Egyptian khedive, 1892-. Opposed British. Deposed, 1914.

Abbasid. 750-1258. Second Empire of Caliphate dynasty. Overthrew Umayyads; destroyed by Mongols.

Abbaye Prison. Principal site of 1792 September Massacres.

Abd ar-Rahman. -732. Moslem Governor of Andalusia. Def, killed at Poitiers.

Abd ar-Rahman I. 731-788. Umayyad emir of Cordoba, 755-. Repelled Charlemagne.

Aboukir, Battle. Nelson defeats French fleet, 1798. Napoleon defeats Turks, 1799.

Abu al-Abbas as Saffah. 722-54. First Abbasid caliph 749-.

Actaeon. Mythical Greek hunter, turned into a stag for watching Artemis bathing.

Actium, Battle. 31BC. Octavian defeats Antony to become sole ruler of Roman Empire.

Adad. Babylonian, Assyrian weather god.

Adelard of Bath. 1090-c1150. English mathematician/translator introduced Arabic numerals.

Admiral Graf Spee. -1939. German battleship def by British, scuttled at Montevideo.

Adoptionism. 8C Christian heresy. Christ was born human, became divine after baptism.

Adrian IV. c1100-59. Only English pope 1150-. Crowned Barbarossa.

Adrianople, Battle. 378. Visigoths defeat Rome, kill Valens.

Aegospotami. 405BC. Naval battle, ends Peloponnesian War. Victory of Lysander vs Athens.

Afghanistan. c200BC Aryan. 6C BC Achaemenid. 330 Alexander...Seleucid/ Maurya. 2C BC Persia/ India/ Parthia/ Kushan. 7C Arab (NW). 750 Persia (W)/ Hindu (E). 1219 Mongol...Timurid. 1525 Mogul. 1737 Persia. 1747 Monarchy. 19 C Britain/Russia dispute 1880 British suzerainty. 1919 Independent. 1973 Marxist coup, Republic. 1978 Communist coup. 1979 Russian occupation. 1989 Mujahideen expel Russians aided by CIA. 1990s Warlords. 2001 US attack Taliban.

Agincourt, Battle. 1415. English victory over French during 100 Years War. High French losses.

Agrippina. c16-59. Roman princess, who poisoned husband Claudius. Killed by son Nero.

Alabama Claims. 1872. US claim damages caused by British built warships in Civil War. $15M=£3.25M awarded by arbitration.

Alamein, El, Battles of. 1942. Montgomery defeats Rommel, saving Egypt from Germans.

Alans. Barbarians. Overrun by Huns; invaded Gaul in 406.

Alarcos, Battle. 1195. Moslems defeat Christians in Spain, go on to conquer Castile.

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