Abruzzi e Molise: A former region/compartment of Italy, now divided into the regions of Abruzzo and Molise. It had an area of 5,955 square miles (or 6,380 according to Lippincott, 1913).
Abruzzo, Parco Nazionale d’ (Abruzzo National Park):
A national park centered on the upper valley of the river Sangro. Privately founded in 1921, it came under national control in 1923. It covers 408 km² in area with an additional protected region of 200 km². The greater part of the park lies within the province of L’Aquila, with a smaller part in the province of Frosinone (Lazio). It is dominated by the Montagna Grande, which marks its northern boundary. The high meadows of the park consist of forests of pine, chestnut, beech, and maple trees. There is also a rare species of birch tree which have been native to the area since the last Ice Age.
The park’s fauna is very diverse. It is home to about 300 different species of birds (including goshawks, sea crows, royal eagles, and song birds), 40 species of mammals (including the Abruzzian brown bear [Ursus arctos marsicanus]), Apennine wolf, roe deer, red deer, wildcats [e.g. Apennine lynx], otters, foxes, and squirrels), and 30 species of retiles and amphibians (including Orsini snakes and yellow salamanders). The park is famous as the home of the Abruzzo Chamois (Rupicapra ornata), found primarily in the high meadowlands.
The park includes a natural history museum, a zoo, and a botanical garden. The park headquarters is located at Pescasseroli.
Abruzzo Citeriore: an alternate name for Abruzzo Citra.
Abruzzo Citra (sometimes Abruzzo Citeriore) (Nearer Abruzzo): A province of the former kingdoms of Naples and the Two Sicilies. It corresponds to the present province of Chieti. Its designation as “Nearer” referred to its position to the city of Naples in relation to the other two Abruzzian provinces (Abruzzo Ultra 1 and 2). The province was about 1,700 square miles in area and had a population of 260,250 (in 1825). Its capital was Chieti, or Teti, (anc. Teate), and its other principal communities were Pescara, Ortona, and Lanciano.
Abruzzo Ulteriore I: Alternate name for Abruzzo Ultra I.
Abruzzo Ulteriore II: Alternate name for Abruzzo Ultra II.
Abruzzo Ultra (sometimes Abruzzo Ulteriore) (Further Abruzzo) I: A province of the former kingdoms of Naples and the Two Sicilies corresponding to the modern province of Teramo. The northernmost province of the Regno, it had an area of about 1,143 square miles and a population of 174,370 (in 1825). Its principal towns were Teramo (the provincial capital), Atri, and Civita di Penne. Also found here was the fortress of Civitella, the last Bourbon stronghold to surrender to the Piedmontese in 1861.
Abruzzo Ultra (sometimes Abruzzo Ulteriore) (Further Abruzzo) II: A province of the former kingdoms of Naples and the Two Sicilies corresponding to the modern province of L’Aquila. It was about 2,220 square miles in area and had a population of 259,114 (in 1825). Its capital, Aquila (L’Aquila), was a center for the manufacturing of paper, stockings and leather goods. Its other principal towns were Sulmona (anc. Sulmo), the birthplace of the Roman poet Ovid, and Celano.
Abrystum: See Aprustum.
Abside: See apse.
Abu: an Arabic form found in many personal and geographical names, usually signifying either possession or paternity.
Abu Aaron: (fl. 2nd part of the 9th century). Jewish scholar. A notable scholar, he frequented the various Jewish communities throughout southern Italy. While visiting Saracen-controlled Bari, he became friends with the emir Sawdan.
Abu Abbas ibn ‘Ali: Aghlabid governor of Sicily (rAD 886).
Abu ‘Abbas ibn Ya’qub ibn ‘Abdallah: Aghlabid governor of Sicily (r AD 871-2).
Abu ‘Abbas ‘Abdallah ibn Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah ibn al-Aghlab: Aghlabid governor of Sicily (rAD 873).
Abu ‘Abdallah Asad ibn Furat ibn Sinan: Aghlabid governor of Sicily (r. AD 827-8).
Abu ‘Abd Allah Muhammad ibn Battuta: (b. c1100, at Ceuta; d. 1164). Geographer. Having been educated at Cordoba, he traveled widely throughout much of the Islamic world, including Spain, the Barbary states in North Africa, and Asia Minor. He eventually arrived in Sicily where he became a member of Roger II’s court at Palermo. He is famous for creating a world map and an accompanying description of the world as it was then known for Roger. This work, called the al-nuzhat al-mushtaq (The Book of Roger), was completed in 1154.
Abu Fihr Muhammad ibn ‘Abdallah ibn al-Aghlab: Aghlabid governor of Sicily (r.AD 831-5).
Abu’l-Abbas ‘Abdallah ibn Ibrahim II: Aghlabid governor of Sicily (r. AD 899-902).
Abu’l-Aghlab Abbas ibn Fadl ibn Ya’qub ibn Fezara: Aghlabid governor of Sicily (r. AD 851-861).