P. 11.—“Matriculate.” The roll or register book in which the Romans
recorded names was called _matricula_, from this we have the verb to
matriculate, to admit to a membership in an institution or society, and
the noun matriculate, the one admitted.
P. 17.—“Latium,” lāˈshe-ŭm. One of the principal divisions of ancient
Italy, lying south of the Tiber. Its boundaries varied at different
periods.
P. 18.—The Greeks called themselves _Hellenes_, their language the
_Hellenic_.
“Æneas,” æ-nēˈas. See the Æneid of Virgil, page 251 of “Preparatory Latin
Course.”
“Mars.” For the story of Mars and Romulus, see page 73 of “Preparatory
Latin Course.” The date of the founding of the city is given as 753 B.
C., and the line of legendary rulers numbered seven.
P. 19.—“Pyrrhus.” For his history see Timayenis, vol. ii.
“Cineas,” cinˈe-as. The friend and prime minister of Pyrrhus. So eloquent
was he that Pyrrhus is said to have declared that “the words of Cineas
had won him more cities than his own arms.” He went twice to Rome on
important embassies for the king, and probably died in Sicily while
Pyrrhus was there.
“Cavour,” käˈvoorˌ. (1810-1861.) An Italian statesman. After a varied
experience in war and politics, Cavour was called in 1850 to the cabinet
of Victor Immanuel, king of Sardinia. Italy was then divided into several
states, some under Austria, others under papal rule. Cavour turned all
his ability to defeating the Austrian powers and breaking the pope’s
authority, in order to unite Italy. In all the struggles he was one of
the chief advisers. In 1861 the states were united. It has been said
of him, “he was one of the most enlightened, versatile and energetic
statesmen of the age.… It is now conceded on all hands that to him more
than any other man is owing the achievement of the unity of Italy.”
“Victor Immanuel.” (1820-1878.) Became king of Sardinia in 1849 by his
father’s abdication. He took part in the Crimean war with France and
England, and was joined by France in the war for Italian independence.
In 1861 he assumed the title of King of Italy, having united many of the
northern provinces. In 1866 he annexed Venetia, and in 1870 the last of
the papal states. In 1871 he transferred his seat of power to Rome.
“Carthage,” carˈthage. The city was situated in the middle and
northernmost part of the north coast of Africa. It was founded about one
hundred years before Rome, and so rapidly its conquests and influence
advanced that it soon became evident that the rulership of the western
world lay between these two cities. Jealousy kept each on the alert, and
B. C. 264 a dispute about matters in Sicily brought about the first Punic
war, which lasted until B. C. 241. The second Punic war (B. C. 218-201)
resulted in a complete relinquishment of all power by Carthage. The third
(B. C. 149-146) was ended by the complete destruction of Carthage.
P. 20.—“Hamilcar.” A famous leader in the latter part of the first Punic
war; the father-in-law of Hasdrubal, and father of Hannibal. After this
war and a campaign in Africa, Hamilcar undertook to establish an empire
for Carthage in Spain. After nine years he fell in battle there and was
succeeded by Hasdrubal, who finished the work and formed a treaty with
Rome, regulating the boundaries. After Hasdrubal’s death Hannibal took
his place, but breaking the treaty, brought about the second Punic war,
where he won several brilliant victories, though finally defeated by
Scipio Africanus.
“Regulus.” A Roman leader captured by the Carthaginians in the first
Punic war, and held five years. The Carthaginians desiring peace sent
him to Rome with an embassy to help negotiate, but he dissuaded his
countrymen from accepting the terms. Before leaving Carthage he had given
his word to return if peace was not made, and in spite of the protest of
Rome, he kept the promise. He is said to have been tortured to death on
his return. This story, however, is suspected to be an invention of the
Romans.
“Fabius.” Was five times Roman consul. After the first victories of
Hannibal in the second Punic war, Fabius was appointed dictator. Here he
earned the title of “Master of Delay.” Merivale says: “His tactics were
to throw garrisons into the strong places, to carry off the supplies of
all the country around the enemy’s camp, wherever he should pitch it, to
harass him by constant movement, but to refuse an engagement.”
P. 21.—“Gracchus.” The family name of two brothers, Tiberius and Caius,
who soon after the destruction of Carthage (146) tried to relieve the
sufferings of the Roman poor. The former was made tribune in 133, and
immediately tried to arrange for a fair division of public lands, so that
the poor citizens might each obtain a small farm. The opposition was so
great that in the attempt to reëlect Tiberius a riot occurred and he was
slain. Ten years afterward Caius became tribune; he succeeded in carrying
several measures to better the condition of the poor, but through the
jealousy of the senate, his power with the people was broken, and finally
during a disastrous fight between his party and his opponents he fled and
caused a slave to kill him.
“Jugurtha.” See page 82 of “Preparatory Latin Course.”
“Marius.” See page 87 of “Preparatory Latin Course.”
P. 27.—“King William.” See THE CHAUTAUQUAN for February, page 252.
P. 28.—“Mommsen,” mŭmˈzen. A German historian, born in 1817. He has held
professorships in jurisprudence or archæology at various universities,
and has published several books. His “History of Rome” is the most
important. It has run through five editions, and been translated into
French and English.
P. 29.—“Curtius.” According to this legend the earth in the Roman forum
gave way B. C. 362. The soothsayers declared that the chasm could only
be filled by throwing into it Rome’s greatest treasure. Curtius, a young
nobleman, declared that Rome possessed no greater treasure than the
citizen willing to die for her, and mounting his steed leaped into the
abyss, which closed upon him.
P. 31.—“Medusa.” One of the Gorgons, frightful beings, whose heads were
covered with hissing serpents; they had wings, brazen claws and enormous
teeth. Medusa was fabled to have been a beautiful maiden of whom Athena
was jealous, and in consequence turned her into a gorgon. Her head was
so fearful that every one who looked at it was changed into stone. See
illustration, page 115.
P. 33.—“Roman Mile.” A thousand paces, or 1600 yards.
P. 34.—“Cretan.” From the island of Crete, one of the largest of the
Mediterranean Sea. It became a Roman province B. C. 66. The people were
celebrated as archers, and were frequently employed as mercenaries by
other nations.
“Balearic.” The Balearic Islands, a group east of Spain, were known to
both Greeks and Romans by this name, derived from the Greek verb _to
throw_, because of the skill of the inhabitants as slingers. The Romans
subdued the islands 123 B. C.
P. 37.—“Longwood.” The largest of the plains on the island of St. Helena.
P. 38.—“Trajectory.” The curve which a body describes.
“Cineas.” It is said that when Cineas (see note above) returned from an
embassy at Rome, he told the king that there was no people like that;
their city was a temple, their senate an assembly of kings.
P. 45.—“Montesquieu,” mŏnˈ-tĕs-kūˌ. French jurist and philosopher
(1689-1755).
P. 46.—“Marcus Aurelius.” Roman Emperor from 161-180, called “The
Philosopher.” Smith says of him: “The leading feature in the character
of Aurelius was his devotion to literature. We still possess a work by
him written in the Greek and entitled ‘Meditations,’ in twelve books. No
remains of antiquity present a nobler view of philosophical heathenism.”
“Bœthius.” A Roman statesman and philosopher, said to be “the last Roman
of any note who understood the language and studied the literature of
Greece.” His most celebrated work was “On the Consolation of Philosophy.”
P. 48.—“Ennius.” (B. C. 239-169.) Called Father Ennius.
“Plautus.” (B. C. 254-184.) “Terence.” (B. C. 195-159.)
“Menander.” (B. C. 342-291.) A distinguished poet at Athens, in what was
called the “New Comedy.”
P. 50.—“Cato.” (B. C. 234-149.) Cato was famous in military affairs
in early life; after that he entered on a civil career. In 184 he was
elected to the censorship, the great event of his life. Here he tried to
turn public opinion against luxury and extravagance. Cato wrote several
works; only fragments of his greatest, “A History of Rome,” have been
saved.
P. 51.—“Boileau,” bwâˈlō. (1636-1711.) A French poet and critic.
P. 52.—“Æschines.” See Greek history.
“Hortensius,” hor-tenˈsi-us. (B. C. 114-50.) Hortensius was the chief
orator of Rome until the time of Cicero, by whom, in the prosecution of
Verres, he was completely defeated. He held many civil offices, but in
old age retired from public life.
P. 53.—“Livy.” (B. C. 59-A. D. 17.) Livy spent the greater part of
his life in Rome, where he was greatly honored by the emperors. His
reputation is said to have been very great in all countries. His best
known work was a history of Rome, in one hundred and forty-two books,
only thirty-five of which are in existence.
“Tacitus,” “Suetonius.” See page 61 of this volume of THE CHAUTAUQUAN.
“Nepos.” A contemporary of Cicero, of whose life nothing is known. The
chief works of Nepos were biographies, of which we have only fragments.
“Georgics.” See page 236 of “Preparatory Latin Course.”
P. 54.—“Horace.” (B. C. 65-8.) Horace was the son of a freedman who
attempted to educate his son, sending him to Rome and then to Athens.
While in the latter place Brutus came to Athens, and Horace joined his
army. Returning to Rome he found his father’s estate gone. He lived in
poverty until some of his poems were noticed by Virgil. Mæcenas became
his patron, and afterward Augustus. His works are _The Odes_, _Satires_,
_Epistles_, and _The Art of Poetry_.
“Ovid.” See page 100 of “Preparatory Latin Course.”
P. 63.—“Historia Sacra.” Sacred history.
P. 65.—“Æsop.” A writer of fables who lived about B. C. 570. He is said
to have been born a slave, but was freed. He was thrown from a precipice
by the Delphians because of a refusal to pay them money which Crœsus had
sent to them. It is uncertain whether Æsop left any written fables, but
many bearing his name have been popular for ages.
“Putative,” pūˈta-tive. Reputed; supposed.
P. 66.—“Viri Romæ.” Men of Rome.
“Valerius.” A historian of the time of the Emperor Tiberius. The
circumstances of his life are unknown. His work remaining to us is on
miscellaneous subjects, sacred rites, civil institutions, social virtues,
etc.
P. 69.—“Fra Angelico,” frä-än-gelˈe-cō. At the age of twenty he entered a
monastery, where he spent the rest of his life. His paintings of angels
were so beautiful that he won the name of _Fra Angelico_—the Brother
Angelic. He was called to Rome to decorate the papal chapel, and offered
the position of Archbishop of Florence, but refused it. He painted only
sacred subjects, and would never accept money for his pictures.
P. 70.—“Repertories,” rĕpˈer-to-ries. A book or index in which things are
so arranged as to be easily found.
“Metellus Pius.” A prominent Roman of the first century B. C. He held
various civil offices, was a commander in the Social war, and carried on
war against the Samnites, in 87. Afterward he was in arms in Africa, and
in 79 went as proconsul to Spain. He died about 60 B. C.
P. 71.—“Dolabella,” dŏl-a-bĕlˈla.
P. 72.—“Caninius,” ca-nĭnˈi-ŭs. One of Cæsar’s legates in Gaul and in the
civil war.
“Drusus.” He won successes in the provinces after the death of Augustus,
and was pointed out as the successor of Tiberius. Sejanus, the favorite
of Tiberius, aspired to the empire. He won the wife of Drusus to his
plans, and persuaded her to administer a slow poison to her husband,
which finally caused his death.
P. 75.—“Egeria.” She had been worshiped by the people of Latium from the
earliest times, as a prophetic divinity. Numa consecrated to her a grove
in the environs of the city, where it is said that he used to meet her.
The grotto and fountain of Egeria are still pointed out to travelers. It
is said that on the death of Numa, Egeria was so inconsolable that she
was changed into a fountain.
“Aurora.” In Grecian mythology the goddess of the morning, who sets out
before the rising of the sun and heralds his coming.
“Nympholepsy,” nĭm-pho-lĕpˈsy. The state of being caught by the nymphs;
ecstasy.
P. 77.—“Numidia,” nu-midˈi-a. A country of Northern Africa, now Algiers.
P. 78.—“Bohn.” An English publisher who has republished in the English
language, and in cheap form, most of the rare standard works of the
different literatures of Europe. His library now numbers between 600 and
700 volumes.
P. 80.—“Numantine.” This war was waged by the Numantians, a little people
of Spain, not numbering more than 8,000 fighting men, against Rome. Their
city, Numantia, was taken B. C. 133, after a long siege.
P. 82.—“Cato.” (B. C. 95-46.) Great-grandson of Cato the Censor. His
character was stern and stoical, and in his public and military life
he was famous for his rigid justice and sternness against abuses. Cato
opposed Cæsar throughout his life. When Cæsar entered Africa he tried to
persuade Utica to stand a siege, but failing, committed suicide.
P. 103.—“Clymene,” clymˈe-nē. The mother of Phæton.
“Styx.” The chief river of the infernal world, according to Grecian
mythology, around which it flows seven times. The name comes from the
Greek word _to hate_. Milton calls it “Abhorred Styx, the flood of
burning hate.”
“Hours.” The Hours were the goddesses who presided over the order of
nature and over the seasons. They gave fertility to the earth, and
furnished various kinds of weather. The course of the season is described
as the dance of the Hours. In art they are represented as beautiful
maidens, carrying fruits and flowers.
P. 194.—“Tethys,” tĕˈthys. The goddess of the sea. The wife of Oceanus,
and mother of the river gods.
P. 105.—“Seven Stars.” By these seven stars are meant the sun, moon,
Mars, Mercury, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus.
“Serpent.” The constellation of _Draco_, which, stretching between _Ursa
Major_ and _Ursa Minor_, nearly encircles the latter.
“Boötes,” bo-oˈtes. The constellation commonly known as Charles’ Wain,
or the Wagoner. Boötes is said to have been the inventor of the plow,
to which he yoked two oxen. At his death he was taken to heaven and set
among the stars.
“Libya.” A name for the continent of Africa, applied here to the Sahara
Desert.
“Dirce.” It is fabled that a king of Thebes drove away his wife into the
mountains of Bœotia, where she died, leaving two sons. When the boys grew
up they returned to Thebes and killed both their father and his wife,
Dirce, who had been an assistant in his crime. Dirce was dragged to death
by a bull, and her body thrown into a well, which was from that time
called the “Well of Dirce.” The celebrated statue of the Farnese bull
represents the death of Dirce.
“Pyrene,” pyrˈe-ne.
“Amymone,” amˈy-moˌne. The daughter of Danaus, who had fled with his
family from Egypt to Argos. The country was suffering from drought, and
he sent out Amymone to bring water. She was attacked by a Satyr but
rescued by Neptune, who bade her draw his trident from a rock. Thereupon
a threefold spring gushed forth, which was called the river and well of
Amymone.
“Tanais,” tanˈa-is. The river Don.
“Caicus,” ca-īˈcus. A river of Asia Minor.
“Lycormas,” ly-corˈmas.
“Xanthus,” zanˈthus. The chief river of Lycia, in Asia Minor.
“Mæander,” mæ-anˈder. A stream of Asia Minor. The greater part of its
course is through a wide plain, where it flows in the numerous windings
which have made of its name the verb _to meander_.
“Ismenos,” is-mēˈnos. A small river in Bœotia.
“Phasis,” phāˈsis. A river flowing through Colchis, into the Black Sea.
“Tagus.” One of the chief rivers in Spain.
P. 106.—“Cayster” or “Caystrus,” ca-ysˈter. A river of Lydia and Ionia,
in Asia Minor. It is said that it still abounds in swans, as it did in
Homer’s time.
“Pluto.” The god of the infernal world.
“Cyclades,” cycˈlă-des. A group of islands in the Ægean Sea, so called
because they lay in a circle around Delos.
“Phocæ,” phōˈcæ. Sea calves, or sea monsters of any description.
“Doris.” The daughter of Oceanus, and wife of her brother Nereus;
sometimes her name is given to the sea itself.
P. 107.—“Presto,” prĕsˈtō. Quickly; at once.
P. 108. “Burke,” Edmund. (1730-1797.) An English statesman, writer and
orator.
“Lucian,” lūˈci-an. (A. D. 120-200.) A Greek author.
“Molossian,” mo-losˈsian. The Molossi were a people in Epirus, inhabiting
a country called Molossis. They were the most powerful tribe in Epirus.
P. 109.—“Daphne,” dăphˈne.
P. 110.—“Peneus,” pe-neˈus. The name of the chief river of Thessaly. As a
god Peneus was the son of Oceanus.
“Claros,” claˈros. A small town on the Ionian coast, with a celebrated
temple and oracle of Apollo.
“Tenedos,” tĕnˈe-dŏs. A small island of the Ægean, off the coast of
Troas, also sacred to Apollo.
“Patarian,” pa-taˈri-an. From Patara, one of the chief cities of Asia
Minor, in Lycia. Apollo had an oracle here, and a celebrated temple.
P. 114.—“Narcissus.” A youth who was fabled to be so hard of heart that
he never loved. The nymph Echo died of grief because of him. Nemesis
caused him to fall in love with his own image as he saw it in a fountain,
and Narcissus died because he could not approach the shadow. His corpse
was metamorphosed into the flower which has his name.
“Dædalus.” A character of Grecian mythology, fabled to be the inventor of
many contrivances, as well as a sculptor and architect. Having incurred
the displeasure of the king of Crete, he was obliged to flee from the
island. Accordingly he made wings for himself and his son Icarus. Dædalus
flew safely to shore, but Icarus went so near the sun that the wax by
which his wings were fastened melted, and he was drowned in that part of
the Ægean called the Icarian Sea.
“Baucis.” Baucis and Philemon were an aged couple living in Phrygia.
Jupiter and Mercury having occasion to visit this part of the world,
went in the disguise of flesh and blood. Nobody would receive them until
Baucis and Philemon took them into their hut. Jupiter took the couple to
a hill near by, while he punished the inhospitable by an inundation; he
then rewarded them by making them guardians of his temple, allowing them
to die at the same moment, and changing them into trees.
“Lycidas,” lĭsˈi-das. A poetical name under which Milton laments the
death of his friend Edward King, who had been drowned.
“Comus.” In the later age of Rome, a god of festive joy and mirth. In
Milton’s poem entitled “Comus, a Masque,” he is represented as a base
enchanter who endeavors, but in vain, to beguile and entrap the innocent
by means of his “brewed enchantments.”—_Webster._
P. 123.—“Rhodes.” An island of the Eastern Ægean. It was long celebrated
for its schools of Greek art and oratory.
“Pontifex,” ponˈtĭ-fex. A Roman high priest, a pontiff. The pontifices
constituted a college of priests, superintended the public worship, and
gave information on sacred matters. Their leader was called pontifex
maximus.
“Quæstor.” The title of a class of Roman officials, some of whom had
charge of the pecuniary affairs of the state, while others superintended
certain criminal trials.
“Ædile.” A magistrate of Rome who superintended public buildings, such as
temples, theaters, baths, aqueducts, sewers, etc., as well as markets,
weights, measures, and the expenses of funerals.
P. 125.—“Proconsul.” The title given to those who, after holding the
office of consul, were sent to some province as governor.
P. 126.—“Ascham.” (1515-1568.) The foremost scholar of his time,
celebrated for his superior knowledge of Greek and Latin.
P. 127.—“Æduans,” ædˈu-ans. Their country lay between the Loire and the
Saone.
P. 126.—“Lingones.” A people living to the east of the source of the Mosa
river. (See map.)
P. 137.—“Sequani.” A tribe of Gallia Belgica (see map), taking their name
from the river Sequana, near the source of which they lived.
P. 139.—“Soissons,” swäˌsōnˈ, almost swīˌsōnˈ. About fifty miles
northeast of Paris.
P. 112.—“Bellovaci.” They dwelt in the north of Gallia, beyond the
Sequana river. (See map.)
P. 143.—“Ambian.” These people, with the Nervii and the Aduatuci (p. 147)
were all tribes of Gallia Belgica.