Malatesta
a distinguished Italian family the chief branch of which were lords of Rimini from 1295 to 1526, and celebrated for the active share they took in the stirring events of that period.
MALATIA (mä-lä-te'ä), a town in the N. W. of the province of Diarbekir in Asia Minor, 8 miles from the Euphrates, and on an important trade route. It was the Melitene of ancient Cappadocia, and was long the headquarters of the Jacobite Christians. Pop. about 30,000.