Apuleius
LUCIUS (ap-ū-lē'us), a famous Latin satirist and writer of fiction; lived in the 2d century, and was a native of northern Africa. Having inherited an ample fortune, he devoted himself to study and travel; attending first the schools of Carthage, then the Athenian schools of philosophy. His principal work is "Metamorphosis" or "The Golden Ass," which includes the charming epilogue of "Cupid and Psyche"; well known also is his witty "Apology," a defense against a charge of sorcery brought by the sons of a widow twice his age whom he married.
APULIA (ap-ūlē-a), a region of ancient Italy along the Adriatic. In most ancient times, three distinct nations dwelt here the Messapians, or Sallentines, the Peucetians and the Dauni, or Apulians.
The old Latin traditions speak of Daunus, a King of the Apulians, who was expelled from Illyria, and retired to this part of Italy. According to the tradition which conducts the wandering heroes of the Trojan war to Italy, Diomed settled in Apulia, was supported by Daunus in a war with the Messapians, whom he subdued, and was afterward treacherously killed by his ally. Aufidus, a river of Apulia, has been celebrated by Horace, born at Venusia, in this tory. The second Punic War was carried on in Apulia. Cannæ, famous for the defeat of the Romans,' is in this region The modern department of Apulia consists of three provinces: Bari delle Puglie, Foggia, and Lecce. The chief occupation of its inhabitants is the raising of domestic animals. Chief towns:
Bari, Brindisi, Foggia, Lecce. Area, 7,376 square miles; pop. about 2,500,000.
APURE (a-pö'rā), a navigable river of Venezuela, formed by the junction of several streams which rise in the Andes of Colombia; it falls into the Orinoco.
AQUATIC ANIMALS APURIMAC (a-pö-re-mak'), a river of South America, which rises in the Andes of Peru; and being augmented by the Pampes and other streams forms the Ucayale which, after it is joined by the Maranon, forms the Amazon. From it a department of Peru receives its name.
Area, 8,187 square miles; pop. about 200,- 000. Capital, Abancay. It produces coffee, cocoa, rubber and sugar, and has gold gold and silver mines.