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BAGAMADER

Volume 2 · 169 words · 1797 Edition

or Bagamedri, a province of the kingdom of Abyssinia in Africa. It is said to receive its name from the great number of sheep bred in it; meder signifying land or earth, and bag a sheep. Its length is estimated about 60 leagues, and its breadth 20; but formerly it was much more extensive; several of its provinces having been dismembered from it, and joined to that of Tigre. A great part of it, especially towards the east, is inhabited by wandering Gallas and Caffres.

BAGAUDÆ, or Bacaudæ, an ancient faction of peasants, or malecontents, who ravaged Gaul. The Gauls being oppressed with taxes, rose about the year of Christ 790, under the command of Amand and Elian; and assumed the name bagaudæ, which, according to some authors, signified in the Gallic language forced rebels, according to others tribute, according to others robbers; which last signification others allow the word had, but then it was only after the time of the bagaudæ, and doubtless took its rise from them.