Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/41

Rh Alpis, served not in the least to rectify the false opinions which then prevailed, or give rise to any doubts or research. It was most likely considered by the wise as merely the dream of a visionary.

family of this lady was originally of Florence; but she was born at Marseilles, and christened by that name. She rendered herself famous by her learning and poetical abilities, so that she is considered one of the ornaments of the sixteenth century.

, her husband, being entirely given up to luxury and indolence, the affairs of the state, in which he took no interest, fell into the greatest disorder, till Amagia took upon herself the cares of government. She gave public audience; went herself to supply with troops the outposts, which defended the kingdom; repulsed the incursions of their enemies; and even succoured her neighbours, when they were oppressed.

She interfered successfully in the disputes of the petty principalities, with which the Scythian Chersonesus abounded. Her plans were laid with wisdom, and executed with vigour and expedition. She appears to have had justice always in view, but not to have tempered it sufficiently with mercy.