ABBASSIDES, the name of a race who possessed the caliphat for 524 years. There were 37 caliphs of this race who succeeded one another without interruption. They drew their descent from Abbas-Ben-Abdul-Motalleb, a brother of the PROPHET's father. The princes of this family made war on the dynasty of Ommiades, A.D. 746; and in 750 defeated the last caliph of the rival family in the bloody battle of Zab near Mosul. The most celebrated monarchs of this family were Al-Mansur, and Haroun-al-Raschid. Their empire ter-
minated in Mostazem, who fell in battle against the Tartar Prince Hulaku in 1257.
ABBE', in a monastic sense, the same with ANNOT. ABBE', in a modern sense, the denomination of a class of persons which has been popular in France. They were not in orders; but having received the ceremony of tonsure, were entitled to enjoy certain privileges in the church. The dress of abbés was that of academics or professed scholars. In colleges they were the instructors of youth, and were employed as tutors in private families. Many of them have risen to a distinguished rank in the state, while others have been no less eminent in science and literature.