This article is about Menelaus the king of Sparta. For the mathematician and astronomer, see Menelaus of Alexandria. Menelaus (also transliterated as Meneláos), in Greek mythology, was a king of Sparta and son of Atreus and Aerope. Atreus was murdered by his nephew, Aegisthus, who took possession of the throne of Mycenae and ruled jointly with his father Thyestes. During this period Menelaus and his brother, Agamemnon, took refuge with Tyndareus, king of Sparta, whose daughters Helen and Clytemnestra they respectively married. ...

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Polytheism is belief in, or worship of, multiple gods or divinities. The word comes from the Greek words poly+theoi, literally "many gods." Most ancient religions were polytheistic, holding to pantheons of traditional deities, often accumulated over centuries of cultural interchange and experience. The belief in many gods does not preclude the belief in an all- powerful all-knowing supreme being. In polytheistic belief systems, gods are conceived as complex personages of greater or lesser status, with individual skills, ...

Including:

• Polytheism - Overview
• Polytheism - Ancient polytheism
• Polytheism - Gods and divinity
• Polytheism - The Indic Traditions

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The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, commonly called Jordan (Arabic أردنّ, transliterated ʼUrdunn), is an Arab country in the Middle East. It is bordered by Syria to the north, Iraq to the north-east, Saudi Arabia to the east and south, and Israel and the Israeli-administered West Bank to the west. It shares with Israel the coastlines of the Gulf of Aqaba and the Dead Sea. Jordan's main religion is Islam and its main language is Arabic. Jordan - History. Main article: History of JordanIncluding:

• Jordan - History
• Jordan - Politics
• Jordan - Governorates
• Jordan - Geography
• Jordan - Economy
• Jordan - Foreign relations
• Jordan - Demographics
• Jordan - Culture
• Jordan - Miscellaneous topics

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Iron is a chemical element with the symbol Fe (L.: Ferrum) and atomic number 26. Iron is a group 8 and period 4 metal. Iron is notable for being the final element produced by stellar nucleosynthesis, and thus the heaviest element which does not require a supernova or similarly cataclysmic event for its formation. It is therefore the most abundant heavy metal in the universe. Iron - Notable characteristics. Iron is the most abundant metal on Earth, and is believed to be the tenth most abundant element ...

Including:

• Iron - Notable characteristics
• Iron - Applications
• Iron - History
• Iron - Occurrence
• Iron - Extraction from ore
• Iron - Compounds
• Iron - Biological role
• Iron - Isotopes
• Iron - Precautions

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A Sphinx is an iconic image of a recumbent lion with a human head, invented by the Egyptians of the Old Kingdom, but a cultural import in archaic Greek mythology, where it received its name (Greek Σφινξ, "strangler"). The best known is the Great Sphinx of Giza. Sphinx - Egyptian sphinx. The Egyptian sphinx is an ancient iconic mythical creature usually comprised of a recumbent lion – an animal with sacred solar associations – with a human head, usually that of a pharaoh. Main ...

Including:

• Sphinx - Egyptian sphinx
• Sphinx - Greek Sphinx
• Sphinx - Similar creatures
• Sphinx - Mannerist Sphinx
• Sphinx - 19th century and symbolism

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Crucifixion is an ancient method of execution, where the victim was tied or nailed to a large wooden cross (Latin: crux) and left to hang there until dead. It was a fairly common form of execution from the 6th century BC, especially among the Persians, Egyptians, Carthaginians, and Romans, until c. 313 AD, when Christianity became the dominant faith in Rome. Crucifixion has special significance in Christianity as Jesus was put to death by the Romans by being nailed to a cross. The cross or the crucifix has become the main Chris ...

Including:

• Crucifixion - Details of crucifixion
• Crucifixion - Cross shape
• Crucifixion - Location of the nails
• Crucifixion - Cause of death
• Crucifixion - Archeological evidence for ancient crucifixion
• Crucifixion - History of crucifixion
• Crucifixion - Persia and Alexander
• Crucifixion - Roman Empire
• Crucifixion - Japan
• Crucifixion - Mesoamerica
• Crucifixion - Modern death on the cross
• Crucifixion - Modern crucifixions without death
• Crucifixion - Crucifixion as a devotional practice
• Crucifixion - Parody
• Crucifixion - Famous crucifixions
• Crucifixion - Related topics

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Luxor (Arabic: الأقصر ) is a city in Upper (southern) Egypt. It has often been called the "world's greatest open air museum", with the ruins of the temple complex at Karnak, Luxor Temple, and the monuments, temples and tombs on the West Bank of the Nile, including the Valley of the Kings and Valley of the Queens. Luxor is an excellent base for touring Upper Egypt, and is a popular holiday destination, both in its own right and as a starting or fini ...

Including:

• Luxor - Four thousand years of tourism
• Luxor - Sights of modern-day Luxor
• Luxor - External link

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Anthropomancy (from Greek anthropos, 'man', and manteia, 'divination') is a method of divination by the entrails of dead or dying men or women, through sacrifice. This practice was sometimes also called Splanchomancy (divination by examining the entrails of sacrificial victims). Elagabalus (the Roman emperor Varius Avitus Bassanius, 205-221) and the ancient Egyptians were known practitioners of this type of divination. Other related archives205, 221, Egyptians, Elagabalus

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Battlestar Galactica is an American science fiction television series, produced in 1978 by Glen Larson and starring Lorne Greene, Richard Hatch and Dirk Benedict. After its cancellation, its story was continued in 1980 as Galactica 1980 with Adama and Boomer being the only continuing characters. It was reimagined in 2003 by the Sci-Fi Channel with Edward James Olmos stepping into Lorne Greene's role of Commander Adama. A weekly series on Sci-Fi followed in January 2005. (See Battlestar Galactica (2003) for more.) Including:

• Battlestar Galactica original series - Narration
• Battlestar Galactica original series - Pilot
• Battlestar Galactica original series - Ratings

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An amulet (from Latin amuletum; earliest extant use in Natural History [Pliny], meaning "an object that protects a person from trouble") or a talisman (from Arabic tilasm, ultimately from Greek telesma or from the Greek word "talein" which means "to initiate into the mysteries.") consists of any object intended to bring good luck and/or protection to its owner. Potential amulets include: gems or simple stones, statues, coins, drawings, pendants, rings, plants, animals, etc.; even words said in certain occas ...

Including:

• Amulet - Amulets and talismans in folklore
• Amulet - Hermetic talismans

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In ancient geography, Colchis (sometimes spelled also as Kolchis) (Greek: Κολχίς, kŏl´kĬs; Georgian: კოლხეთი, Kolkheti) was a nearly triangular district in Caucasus. Now the western part of Georgia, it was in Greek mythology the home of Aeetes and Medea and the destination of the Argonauts. The ancient area is represented roughly by the present day Georgian provinces of Mingrelia, Imereti, Guria, Ajaria, Svaneti and Racha, and also Abkhazia and the modern Turkey’s Rize Provin ...

Including:

• Colchis - Geography and toponyms
• Colchis - History
• Colchis - Earliest times
• Colchis - Qulha Kolkha
• Colchis - Greek colonization
• Colchis - Under Pontus
• Colchis - Under the Roman rule
• Colchis - Rulers
• Colchis - Colchis in Greek mythology

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An African American (also Afro-American, Black American, or black), is a member of an ethnic group in the United States whose ancestors, usually in predominant part, were indigenous to Africa. Many African Americans also have European and/or Native American ancestry as well. Some have Asian ancestral backgrounds too. The term tends to refer to West African ancestries; not, for example, to white or Arab African ancestry, such as Moroccan or white South African ancestry. This is so even though there is huge g ...

Including:

• African American - Nomenclature
• African American - Current Demographics
• African American - African American history
• African American - Ethnicity
• African American - Contemporary issues
• African American - Culture
• African American - The term African American
• African American - Political overtones
• African American - Criticism of term
• African American - Who is African American?
• African American - Terms no longer in common use
• African American - Black American population
• African American - Other groups
• African American - Footnotes

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The castanets are a percussion instrument (idiophone), much used in Moorish music, Roma music, Spanish music and Latin American music. The instrument consists of a pair of concave shells joined on one edge by string. These are held in the hand and used to produce clicks for rhythmic accents or a ripping or rattling sound consisting of a rapid series of clicks. They are traditionally made of hardwood, altho ...

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The 12-hour clock is a timekeeping convention in which the 24 hours of the day are divided into two periods called ante meridiem (am, Latin for "before noon") and post meridiem (pm, Latin for "after noon"). Each period consists of 12 hours numbered 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. The am period runs from midnight to noon, while the Including:

• 12-hour clock - Ambiguity at noon and midnight
• 12-hour clock - Typography
• 12-hour clock - Pronunciation
• 12-hour clock - Criticism
• 12-hour clock - History

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Beshalach, Beshallach, or Beshalah (בשלח – Hebrew for “when [he] let go,” the second word and first distinctive word in the parshah) is the sixteenth weekly parshah or portion in the annual Jewish cycle of Torah reading and the fourth in the book of Exodus. It constitutes Exodus 13:17–17:16. Jews in the Diaspora read it the sixteenth Sabbath after Simchat Torah, generally in January or February. Beshalach - Summary. When Pharaoh let the Israelites go, God led the people roundabout ...

Including:

• Beshalach - Summary
• Beshalach - Parting the Sea of Reeds
• Beshalach - Bitter water turned sweet
• Beshalach - Manna in the wilderness
• Beshalach - Water from a stone
• Beshalach - Amalek’s attack
• Beshalach - Commandments
• Beshalach - Haftarah
• Beshalach - References in classical sources

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October 17 is the 290th (in leap years the 291st) day of the year according to the Gregorian calendar. There are 75 days remaining. October 17 - Events. 538 BC - King Cyrus The Great of Persia marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost 70 years of exile and making the first Human Rights Declaration 1244 - Battle of La Forbie: Crusaders are defeated by Khwarezmians & Egyptians 1346 - Battle of Neville's Cross: King David II of S ...

Including:

• October 17 - Events
• October 17 - Births
• October 17 - Deaths
• October 17 - Holidays and observances

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The 2005 Sharm el-Sheikh attacks were a series of bomb attacks on July 23, 2005, targeting the Egyptian resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh, located on the southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula. Eighty-eight people were killed and over 150 were wounded by the blasts, making the attack the deadliest terrorist action in the country's history. The bombing coincided with Egypt's Revolution Day, which commemorates Nasser's 1952 overthrow of King Farouk. The attacks took place in the early morning hours, at a time when many tourists and loc ...

Including:

• 2005 Sharm el-Sheikh attacks - Explosion sites
• 2005 Sharm el-Sheikh attacks - Casualties
• 2005 Sharm el-Sheikh attacks - Responsibility
• 2005 Sharm el-Sheikh attacks - Background

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Collagen is the main protein of connective tissue in animals and the most abundant protein in mammals, making up about 1/4 of the total. It is one of the long, fibrous structural proteins whose functions are quite different from those of globular proteins such as enzymes. It is tough and inextensible, with great tensile strength, and is the main component of cartilage, ligaments and tendons, and the main protein component of bone and teeth. Along with soft keratin, it is responsible for skin strength and elasticity, and its degradatio ...

Including:

• Collagen - Composition and structure
• Collagen - Human Uses
• Collagen - Types of collagen
• Collagen - Staining

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In construction, concrete is a composite building material made from the combination of aggregate and cement binder. The most common form of concrete is Portland cement concrete, which consists of mineral aggregate (generally gravel and sand), Portland cement and water. Contrary to common belief, concrete does not solidify from drying after mixing and placement. Instead, the cement hydrates, gluing the other components together and eventually creating a stone-like material. When used in the generic sense, this is the material referred ...

Including:

• Concrete - History
• Concrete - Characteristics
• Concrete - Cracking
• Concrete - Additives
• Concrete - Workability
• Concrete - Self compacting concretes
• Concrete - Shotcrete / sprayed concrete
• Concrete - External link

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This entry incorporates text from the public domain Easton's Bible Dictionary, originally published in 1897. Abomination in the Biblical sense of the word refers to: Every shepherd was "an abomination" unto the Egyptians (Genesis 46:34). This aversion to shepherds, such as the Hebrews, arose probably from the fact that Upper and Lower Egypt had formerly been held in oppressive subjection by the Hyksos (a tribe of nomad shepherds), who had only recently been expelled, and partly also perhaps from this other f ...

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Βασιλεία Ῥωμαίων Roman (Byzantine) Empire Motto: Βασιλεὺς Βασιλέων Βασιλεύων Βασιλευόντων (Greek: King of Kings Ruling Over Rulers) The Byzantine Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Greek-speaking Roman Empire during the Middle Ages, centered at its capital in Constantinople. In certain s ...

Including:

• Byzantine Empire - The term Byzantine Empire
• Byzantine Empire - Identity continuity and consciousness
• Byzantine Empire - Origin
• Byzantine Empire - Early history
• Byzantine Empire - The age of Justinian I
• Byzantine Empire - The fight for survival
• Byzantine Empire - Golden era
• Byzantine Empire - The Comneni and the Crusaders
• Byzantine Empire - Underlying reasons for decline
• Byzantine Empire - The Decline and Fall of the Byzantine Empire
• Byzantine Empire - Legacy and importance
• Byzantine Empire - Bibliography

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Several instances of interaction between Buddhism and the Roman world are documented by Classical and early Christian writers. Buddhism and the Roman world - Pandion embassy. Roman historical accounts describe an embassy sent by the "Indian king Pandion (Pandya?), also named Porus," to Caesar Augustus around 13 CE. The embassy was travelling with a diplomatic letter in Greek, and one of its members was a sramana who burned himself alive in Athens to demonstrate his faith. The event made a sensation and was ...

Including:

• Buddhism and the Roman world - Pandion embassy
• Buddhism and the Roman world - Western knowledge of Buddhism
• Buddhism and the Roman world - Buddhism and Gnosticism
• Buddhism and the Roman world - Notes

Read more here: » Buddhism and the Roman world: Encyclopedia - Buddhism and the Roman world