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

Apollonius Rhodius. 3C BC. Poet, librarian at Alexandria. Argonautica.

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

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

Aquitaine. 1C BC Rome. 5C Visigoth. 507 Franks. 700 Independent. 1137 French. 1152 English 1453 French.

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.

Aragon. 2C BC Rome. 711 Moors. 1035 Independent kingdom. 1076 +Navarre. 1134 -Navarre. 1137 +Catalonia. 1238 +Valencia. 13C +Balearics, Murcia. 1479 +Castile =Spain. Ferdinand.

Aragon, Louis. 1897-1982. French Romantic poet + Communist.

Arai Hakuseki. 1657-1725. Japanese Confucian philosopher, statesman, historian.

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

Aranjuez, Revolt. 1808. Forced abdication of Charles IV (Spain) and dismissed Prime Minister.

Aranyakas. c700BC. Vedic text on rituals.

Ararat, Mount. Noah’s Ark landing place. 9-7C BC.

Araucanian Wars. 1530-1870. Chile, Argentina. Natives forced onto reservations.

Arawak. Natives of NE SA, Antilles. Now extinct in W Indies.

Arcadia, Academy of. 1690. 1925 =Italian Literary Academy. Originally known for poetic, pastoral style.

Archer, William. 1856-1924. Scottish critic, playwright. Translated Ibsen.

Archons. Ancient Greek chief magistrates.

Ardon, Mordecai. 1896-1992. Polish/Israeli abstract painter. Jerusalem landscapes.

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