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 290, under the command of Amand and Elian; and assumed the name bagaudae, 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 bagaudae, and doubts took its rise from them.