FAMIA, or FAMIEH, a town of Syria, the ancient Apamea. Here, under the rule of the Seleucids, was a school and nursery for cavalry, where 30,000 horses and 500 elephants were fed. There are now only a few buffaloes and sheep. It is thirty miles north of Damascus. Long. 36. 43. E. Lat. 35. N.
FAMILIARS of the Inquisition, persons who assist in apprehending such as are accused, and carrying them to prison. They are assistants to the inquisitor, and called familiari, because they belong to his family. In some provinces of Italy they were called cross-bearers, in others the scholars of St Peter the Martyr; and they wore a cross in front on the outside of the garment. They are properly bailiffs of the inquisition; and the office is esteemed so honourable, that in Portugal noblemen have been ambitious of belonging to it.
FAMILY denotes the persons who live together in one house, under the direction of one head or chief manager. It also signifies the kindred or lineage of a person; and is used by old writers to indicate a hide or portion of land sufficient to maintain one family.