Sebastian
DOM, King of Portugal; born in Lisbon in 1554; ascended the throne at three years of age, on the death of his grandfather, John III. Possessed of a romantic and venturesome disposi tion, he determined to carry on war against the Moors in Africa, hoping thereby to effect something for Christianity and the fame of Portugal. He acagainst the Moors in Africa, hoping which comprised the flower of the Portuguese nobility, and sailed for Africa in ace at Alcacer-el- 1578, at the age of 23 years . A general engagement soon took place guese nobility, and sailed for Africa in bore him into the midst of the enemy.
Though Sebastian fought with the most determined bravery, so complete was the slaughter that not more than 50 Portubore him into the midst of the enemy. Though Sebastian fought with the most tian disappeared. The mystery surrounding his fate led several adventurers to assume his person, but there seems to be no doubt that he died on the field of battle. His death is supposed to have occurred August 4, 1578.
SEBASTOPOL or SEVASTOPOL, a fortified town and seaport of European Russia, on the W. coast of the Crimea.
It stands on a creek on the S. side of one curred August 4, 1578. of Strabo, which is defended by strong forts on both sides. In 1853 Russia de- Prince Menzikoff, on the banks of the pelled to retreat. On Sept. 25 the Brit- Alma. A bloody battle was fought (Sept. 20), in which the Russians were comthe regular siege of the southern portion of Sebastopol commenced, the Russians having sunk vessels in the entrance to the harbor and thus rendered the city unassailable by maritime force. On Oct. 25 having sunk vessels in the entrance to the and Nov. 5, the Russians vainly attempted to annihilate the besieging forces in but afterward confined themselves mainly to the defensive, though making frequent sorties. Among these conflicts some asbut afterward confined themselves mainly sumed almost the character of regular to the defensive, though making frequent field battles; for instance, an unsuccessful attack of the French on a new redoubt (Feb. 23, 1855), their first assault on the Malakoff and Redan (June 18), and the battle of the Tchernaya (Aug. 16), in which the Russians, numbering 50,000 inenemy. The trenches having been driven fantry and 6,000 cavalry, made a last ef- fort to break the aggressive force of the so near the Russian defensive works that fort to break the aggressive force of the the final bombardment was opened Sept. another assault could not be ventured, the final bombardment was opened Sept. 5, and lasted for three days. On Sept. 8 the Malakoff and Redan were stormed and blown up their extensive fortifications on taken by the allies after a desperate the S. shore of the harbor, retreated to struggle. The Russians, after ha taken by the allies after a desperate having of Sebastopol, rehaving destroyed the costly docks, arsethe N. side, which the allies never serinals, and shipyards of ously attempted to conquer. The latter, mained inactive in their camps, and, with Kertch, on the Strait of Yenikale, no further feats of arms were accomplished. the exception of the capture and sack of The forces of the allies were withdrawn Though the allies did not obtain any dein the summer and autumn of 1856. Though the allies did not obtain any deloss of military prestige, and any further aggression on her part in S. Europe was for a time prevented. By the peace of SECANT Paris (1856) Russia lost the right of navigation on the Danube, besides a strip on a also, the unrestricted navigation of the Black sea. In November, 1870, Russia, availing herself of the Franco-Prussian imbroglio, demanded and obtained from the Western Powers a revision of the treaty of Paris, in so far as it affected the restrictions placed on her in the Black
The Bolshevist army in November, sea. 1920, occupied Sebastopol after defeating the anti-Red forces under General Wrangel. Pop. about 77,000.