AMADE'US (i.e., Love-God), a common name in the house of Savoy. The first who bore it was count A., eldest son of count Humbert, who lived about the commencement of the 11th century. His successors gradually enlarged their paternal dominions; but the first to make an important figure in history was A.V., who was b. in 1249, succeeded his uncle Filippo in 1285, and d. in 1323. He acquired the dignity of a prince of the empire. He had a brother who resided for a long period in England, and, while there, built the Savoy palace in London.—His son, A. VI., the "green count," b. in 1334, succeeded his father in 1843. He was a sagacious, moderate, and vigorous ruler, won various places from the dauphin of France, became lord-paramount of Piedmont, and, through the favor of the emperor Charles IV., obtained the vice-regency over a great part of upper Italy. His influence among the Italian states was very great. He d. in 1383.—A. VIII., b. in 1383, was at first under the guardianship of his grandmother, a woman of superior talents; but in 1398 he assumed the reins of government himself, and displayed a spirit of moderation, and, at the same time, a love of order which augured well for his people. The zeal with which he aided the policy of the emperor Sigismund
secured him the imperial favor, and the elevation of Savoy into a duchy (1416). On the extinction of its native dynasty, in 1418, Piedmont chose him for its ruler, as he was next of kin. But a religious melancholy taking possession of his mind, he (Nov. 7, 1434) laid down his authority, and, along with six of his knights, betook himself to a monastic hermitage which he had caused to be built on the shores of the lake of Geneva. He was elected pope in 1439,- when he assumed the name of Felix V.; but he resigned the papal chair in 1448, and d. three years afterwards at Geneva.—A. IX., after governing for four years, handed over his authority to his wife Jolanthe, on account of ill health; but she used it very imprudently. While he lived. A. was a mere tool in the hands of grasping factions. He died in 1472.--The prince of this name who has most recently come under the notice of the civilized world, was elected king of Spain in Dee., 1870, and abdicated the throne in Feb., 1873.