Aphrodite. Greek goddess of love and beauty, Roman Venus.

Apocrypha. 14 Books of the Old Testament excluded by Protestants and Jews.

Apollinarianism. 4C Christian heresy. Jesus not truly human because of his divine nature.

Apollo. Greek/Roman perfection of male beauty, god of prophecy, song and music.

Apollonius of Perga. c262-190BC. Greek mathematician: named conic sections: ellipse, hyperbola, parabola.

Apostles. 12 disciples of Jesus. Also, first missionary to a country.

Apostles’ Creed. 410. Widely-used affirmation of Christian faith.

Appeasement Policy. 1937-9. British yield to Nazi demands in hope of maintaining peace. Munich Agreement. Gentleman’s Agreement.

Appert, Nicolas. c1752-1841. French inventor of preservation by canning.

Appian Way. 312BC. Appius Claudius’ road from Rome to Brindisi.

Appleseed, Johnny. (Chapman). 1774-1845. US nurseryman. Gave seedlings to pioneers.

Appleton, Edward. 1892-1965. English physicist: Appleton ionospheric layer.

Apprentices Statute. 1563-1814 England. 7 Years apprenticeship required for all trades.

April Theses. 1917. Lenin’s plan for Soviet takeover of state power from provisional government.

Aquila Ponticus. 2C. Translated Old Testament from Hebrew to Greek. Version adopted by Jews.

Arab-Israeli Wars. 1948-9. Palestinians flee to Arab countries. 1956. Israel captures Sinai, UN takes over. 1967. Six Day War. Israel defeats Egypt, Syria, Jordan, gains Jerusalem, Sinai, Golan,... 1973. Egypt, Syria attack = October War.

Arab League. 1945. Non-aggression and cooperation treaty of Arab states. Collective Treaty of Defence, 1950, to defend against Israeli aggression.

Arabesque. Style characterized by entwined vines, leaves.

Arabia. Semite. 6C BC Chaldean. c106BC Rome. 622 Caliphate Empire. 16C Ottoman. 17C Persia (E). Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, UAR, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain.

Arachne. Lydian weaver, changed into a spider.

Arafat, Yasir. 1929-2004. Arab Fatah PLO leader. President of Palestinian Authority 1996-.

Arago, François. 1786-1853. French astronomer and physicist. Magnetism, light.

Aramaeans. Ancient Semitic people of Mesopotamia, Syria. Language widespread 10C-5C BC. Alphabet 720 BC.

Aranyakas. c700BC. Vedic text on rituals.

Arc de Triomphe. Paris monument. Commissioned 1806 by Napoleon. Completed 1836.

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