Ravana
in the Hindu r religious system, the name of the Râkshasa who, at the time of Râma, ruled over Lanka or Ceylon, and having carried off Sîtâ, the wife of Râma, to nis residence, was ultimately conquered and slain by the latter. He is described as having been a giant with 10 faces, and in consequence of austerities and devotion, as having obtained from Siva a promise which bestowed on him unlimited power, even over the gods. As the promise of Siva could not be revoked, Vishnu evaded its efficacy in becoming incarnate as Râma, and hence killed the demon giant. be seen the iron rings to which the cables of ships were formerly fastened; the sea is now at the distance of about 4 miles from the city. The streets are wide; the squares are adorned with the statues of the Popes. The cathedral, built in the 4th century, was almost wholly rebuilt in 1734. Of the other 14 churches and other architectural antiquities sev eral date from the 5th and 6th centuries.
San Francesco possesses the tomb of Dante, erected in the 15th century. The library of Ravenna contains 50,000 volumes. It has an archæological museum, and many educational institutions. Ravenna has manufactures of silk, and its trade is facilitated by a canal to the sea.
RAVIGNAN The city was probably of Umbrian origin. Augustus made it a first-class seaport and naval station; 400 years later the Emperor Honorius took refuge there, and made it the capital of the empire. In 1218 it became a republic.
In 1275 Guido da Polenta conducted it, and there established his court, where he received Dante. Ravenna was after- Ravenna was ward taken by the Venetians, who kept it till 1509. Under Charles V. it passed into the hands of the Popes. Under its walls a great battle was fought in 1512 between the French and the Spaniards , in which Gaston de Foix purchased victory with his life. Pop., city, about 75,000; province, about 260,000.