This Glossary includes all proper names (excepting a few which are insignificant or unknown) and all obsolete or obscure words. ADRIANUS, or Hadrian (76-138 A. D.), 14th Roman Emperor.
This Glossary contains all proper names (except for a few that are unimportant or unknown) and all outdated or uncommon words. ADRIANUS, also known as Hadrian (76-138 AD), 14th Roman Emperor.
Agrippa, M. Vipsanius (63-12 B.C.), a distinguished soldier under Augustus.
Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa (63-12 BCE) was a renowned military commander who served under Emperor Augustus.
Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia, and Conqueror of the East, 356-323 B.C.
Alexander the Great: Macedonian King and Eastern Conqueror, 356-323 BCE
Antisthenes of Athens, founder of the sect of Cynic philosophers, and an opponent of Plato, 5th century B.C Antoninus Pius, 15th Roman Emperor, 138-161 AD. one of the best princes that ever mounted a throne.
Antisthenes of Athens, who established the Cynic school of philosophy and opposed Plato, lived in the 5th century BCE. Antoninus Pius, the 15th Roman Emperor who reigned from 138-161 CE, is considered one of the most admirable rulers in history.
Apathia: the Stoic ideal was calmness in all circumstance an insensibility to pain, and absence of all exaltation at, pleasure or good fortune.
Apathia: The Stoic ideal was to remain calm in all situations, to be unaffected by pain, and to avoid excessive excitement over pleasure or good fortune.
Apelles, a famous painter of antiquity.
Apelles, a renowned ancient Greek painter.
Apollonius of Alexandria, called Dyscolus, or the 'ill-tempered,' a great grammarian.
Apollonius of Alexandria, known as Dyscolus or "the grumpy one," was a renowned grammarian.
Aposteme, tumour, excrescence.
Abscess, swelling, growth.
Archimedes of Syracuse 287-212 B.C., the most famous mathematician of antiquity.
Archimedes of Syracuse (287-212 BC) was the most renowned mathematician of ancient times.
Athos, a mountain promontory at the N. of the Aegean Sea.
Athos, a mountainous peninsula in northern Greece, jutting into the Aegean Sea.
Augustus, first Roman Emperor (ruled 31 B.C.-14 AD.).
Augustus, the first Roman Emperor, reigned from 31 BC to 14 AD.
Avoid, void.
Avoid, avoid.
BACCHIUS: there Were several persons of this name, and the one meant is perhaps the musician.
There were several individuals named Bacchius, but this likely refers to the musician.
Brutus (1) the liberator of the Roman people from their kings, and (2) the murderer of Cæsar.
Brutus: (1) the man who freed the Roman people from monarchy, and (2) Caesar's assassin.
Both names were household words.
Both were famous names that everyone knew.
Cæsar, Caius, Julius, the Dictator and Conqueror.
Caesar, Gaius Julius: Dictator and Conqueror.
Caieta, a town in Latium.
Gaeta, a coastal city in central Italy.
Camillus, a famous dictator in the early days of the Roman Republic.
Camillus, a renowned military leader who held absolute power in the early Roman Republic.
Carnuntum, a town on the Danube in Upper Pannonia.
Carnuntum, a town on the Danube River in what is now eastern Austria.
Cato, called of Utica, a Stoic who died by his own hand after the battle of Thapsus, 46 B.C. His name was proverbial for virtue and courage.
Cato of Utica, a Stoic philosopher, committed suicide after the Battle of Thapsus in 46 BC. His name became synonymous with virtue and courage.
Cautelous, cautious.
Cautious, wary.
Cecrops, first legendary King of Athens.
Cecrops, the legendary founder and first king of Athens.
Charax, perhaps the priestly historian of that name, whose date is unknown, except that it must be later than Nero.
Charax, possibly the priestly historian of that name, whose exact time period is uncertain. However, we know he must have lived after Nero's reign.
Chirurgeon, surgeon.
Surgeon.
Chrysippus, 280-207 B.C., a Stoic philosopher, and the founder of Stoicism as a systematic philosophy.
Chrysippus, 280-207 BCE, was a Stoic philosopher who established Stoicism as a structured philosophical system.
Circus, the Circus Maximus at Rome, where games were held. There were four companies who contracted to provide horses, drivers, etc. These were called Factiones, and each had its distinguishing colour: russata (red), albata (white), veneta (blue), prasina (green). There was high rivalry between them, and riots and bloodshed not infrequently.
The Circus Maximus in Rome was a grand venue for hosting public games. Four rival companies, known as Factiones, competed to supply horses, charioteers, and other necessities for the events. Each company was identified by a distinct color: red, white, blue, or green. The intense competition between these factions often led to heated disputes, sometimes escalating into violent clashes and bloodshed among their supporters.
Cithaeron, a mountain range N. of Attica.
Cithaeron, a mountain range north of Attica.
Comedy, ancient; a term applied to the Attic comedy of Aristophanes and his time, which criticised persons and politics, like a modern comic journal, such as Punck. See New Comedy.
Ancient comedy refers to the Athenian comic plays of Aristophanes and his contemporaries. These works satirized individuals and political issues, much like modern satirical magazines such as Punch. For more information, see "New Comedy."
Compendious, short.
Brief and concise.
Conceit, opinion.
Arrogance, viewpoint.
Contentation, contentment.
Contentment.
Crates, a Cynic philosopher of the 4th century B.C.
Crates, a Cynic philosopher who lived in the 4th century BCE.
Crœsus, King of Lydia, proverbial for wealth; he reigned 560-546 B.C.
Croesus, the King of Lydia, was legendary for his immense wealth. He ruled from 560 to 546 BCE.
Cynics, a school of philosophers, founded by Antisthenes. Their texts were a kind of caricature of Socraticism. Nothing was good but virtue, nothing bad but vice. The Cynics repudiated all civil and social claims, and attempted to return to what they called a state of nature. Many of them were very disgusting in their manners.
The Cynics were a group of philosophers who followed the teachings of Antisthenes. Their philosophy was an exaggerated version of Socrates' ideas. They believed that virtue was the only good and vice the only evil. Cynics rejected societal norms and conventions, aiming to live in what they considered a natural state. Many of them behaved in ways that others found offensive or repulsive.
DEMETRIUS of Phalerum, an Athenian orator, statesman, philosopher, and poet. Born 345 B.C.
Demetrius of Phalerum was an Athenian polymath born in 345 BC. He excelled as an orator, statesman, philosopher, and poet.
Democritus of Abdera (460-361 B.C.), celebrated as the 'laughing philosopher,' whose constant thought was 'What fools these mortals be.' He invented the Atomic Theory.
Democritus of Abdera (460-361 BCE), known as the "laughing philosopher," constantly mused on human folly. He is famous for developing the Atomic Theory.
Dio of Syracuse, a disciple of Plato, and afterwards tyrant of Syracuse. Murdered 353 B.C.
Dio of Syracuse, a student of Plato, later became the ruler of Syracuse. He was assassinated in 353 BCE.
Diogenes, the Cynic, born about 412 B.C., renowned for his rudeness and hardihood.
Diogenes the Cynic, born around 412 BCE, was famous for his blunt behavior and toughness.
Diognetus, a painter.
Diognetus, an artist.
Dispense with, put up with.
Get rid of, tolerate.
Dogmata, pithy sayings, or philosophical rules of life.
Guiding principles, concise wisdom, or life philosophies.
EMPEDOCLES of Agrigentum, fl. 5th century B.C., a philosopher, who first laid down that there were "four elements." He believed in the transmigration of souls, and the indestructibility of matter.
Empedocles, a 5th century BC philosopher from Agrigentum, was the first to propose the concept of "four elements." He advocated for the idea of reincarnation and believed that matter could not be destroyed.
Epictetus, a famous Stoic philosopher. He was of Phrygia, at first a slave, then freedman, lame, poor, and contented. The work called Encheiridion was compiled by a pupil from his discourses.
Epictetus was a renowned Stoic philosopher. Born in Phrygia, he began life as a slave before gaining his freedom. Despite facing challenges such as physical disability and poverty, he remained content. The book known as Encheiridion was assembled from his teachings by one of his students.
Epicureans, a sect of philosophers founded by Epicurus, who "combined the physics of Democritus," i.e. the atomic theory, "with the ethics of Aristippus."
Epicureans were a group of philosophers who followed the teachings of Epicurus. They blended Democritus' atomic theory with Aristippus' ethical philosophy.
They proposed to live for happiness, but the word did not bear that coarse and vulgar sense originally which it soon took.
They aimed to live for happiness, but their definition of the word was more refined and noble than the crude meaning it later acquired.
Epicurus of Samos, 342-270 B.C.
Epicurus of Samos, 342-270 BCE
Lived at Athens in his "gardens," an urbane and kindly, if somewhat useless, life. His character was simple and temperate, and had none of the vice or indulgence which was afterwards associated with the name of Epicurean.
He resided in Athens in his "gardens," leading a sophisticated and friendly, albeit somewhat unproductive, lifestyle. His nature was uncomplicated and moderate, free from the vices and excesses later associated with the term Epicurean.
Eudoxus of Cnidus, a famous astronomer and physician of the 4th century B. C.
Eudoxus of Cnidus, a renowned astronomer and physician from the 4th century BCE.
FATAL, fated.
Deadly, destined.
Fortuit, chance (adj.).
Fortuitous, by chance (adjective).
Fronto, M. Cornelius, a rhetorician and pleader, made consul in 143 A.D. A number of his letters to M, Aur. and others are extant.
Marcus Cornelius Fronto was a renowned rhetorician and lawyer who became consul in 143 AD. Several of his letters to Marcus Aurelius and other notable figures have survived to the present day.
GRANUA, a tributary of the Danube.
GRANUA, a river that flows into the Danube.
HELICE, ancient capital city of Achaia, swallowed up by an earthquake, 373 B.C.
HELICE, the former capital of Achaia, was destroyed by an earthquake in 373 BCE.
Helvidius Priscus, son-in-law of Thrasea Paetus, a noble man and a lover of liberty. He was banished by Nero, and put to death by Vespasian.
Helvidius Priscus, the son-in-law of Thrasea Paetus, was a nobleman and champion of freedom. Nero exiled him, and Vespasian later had him executed.
Heraclitus of Ephesus, who lived in the 6th century B.C. He wrote on philosophy and natural science.
Heraclitus of Ephesus was a 6th century BCE philosopher and natural scientist.
Herculaneum, near Mount Vesuvius, buried by the eruption of 79 AD.
Herculaneum, a town near Mount Vesuvius, was buried by the volcano's eruption in 79 CE.
Hercules, p. 167, should be Apollo. See Muses.
The reference to Hercules on page 167 should be corrected to Apollo. For more information, refer to the entry on Muses.
Hiatus, gap.
Break, pause.
Hipparchus of Bithynia, an astronomer of the 2nd century B.C., "The true father of astronomy."
Hipparchus of Bithynia, a 2nd century BCE astronomer, is considered "The true father of astronomy."
Hippocrates of Cos, about 460-357 B.C. One of the most famous physicians of antiquity.
Hippocrates of Kos, circa 460-357 BCE. A renowned ancient Greek physician.
IDIOT, means merely the non-proficient in anything, the "layman," he who was not technically trained in any art, craft, or calling.
The term "idiot" originally meant someone who lacked expertise in a particular field—essentially a layperson or amateur who hadn't received specialized training in a specific skill, trade, or profession.
LEONNATUS, a distinguished general under Alexander the Great.
LEONNATUS, a top military commander who served under Alexander the Great.
Lucilla, daughter of M. Aurelius, and wife of Verus, whom she survived.
Lucilla was the daughter of Marcus Aurelius and the wife of Lucius Verus. She outlived her husband.
MÆCENAS, a trusted adviser of Augustus, and a munificent patron of wits and literary men.
Maecenas, a close confidant of Emperor Augustus and a generous supporter of intellectuals and writers.
Maximus, Claudius, a Stoic philosopher.
Maximus Claudius, a Stoic philosopher.
Menippus, a Cynic philosopher.
Menippus, a philosopher of the Cynic school.
Meteores, ta metewrologika, "high philosophy," used specially of astronomy and natural philosophy, which were bound up with other speculations.
Celestial phenomena, also known as "meteors" or "meteorology," were considered "high philosophy" - a term specifically applied to astronomy and natural sciences, which were closely linked with other philosophical inquiries.
Middle Comedy, something midway between the Old and New Comedy. See Comedy, Ancient, and New Comedy.
Middle Comedy bridges the gap between Old Comedy and New Comedy. For more information, refer to the entries on Ancient Comedy and New Comedy.
Middle things, Book 7, XXV. The Stoics divided all things into virtue, vice, and indifferent things; but as "indifferent" they regarded most of those things which the world regards as good or bad, such as wealth or poverty. Of these, some were "to be desired," some "to be rejected."
The Stoics categorized everything into three groups: virtue, vice, and neutral matters. Interestingly, they considered most things that society deems good or bad—like wealth or poverty—as neutral. However, among these neutral items, they still distinguished some as preferable and others as undesirable.
Muses, the nine deities who presided over various kinds of poesy, music, etc. Their leader was Apollo, one of whose titles is Musegetes, the Leader of the Muses.
The Muses were nine goddesses who oversaw different forms of art, including poetry and music. Apollo, also known as Musegetes (Leader of the Muses), was their chief.
NERVES, strings.
NERVES, strings.
New Comedy, the Attic Comedy of Menander and his school, which criticised not persons but manners, like a modern comic opera. See Comedy, Ancient.
New Comedy, the Attic Comedy of Menander and his followers, focused on critiquing social norms rather than individuals, similar to modern comic operas. For more information, see "Comedy, Ancient."
PALESTRA, wrestling school.
WRESTLING SCHOOL, also known as palestra.
Pancratiast, competitor in the pancratium, a combined contest which comprised boxing and wrestling.
A pancratiast was a competitor in the pancratium, an ancient combat sport that combined boxing and wrestling techniques.
Parmularii, gladiators armed with a small round shield (parma).
Parmularii were gladiators who fought with a small round shield called a parma.
Pheidias, the most famous sculptor of antiquity.
Pheidias, the ancient world's most renowned sculptor.
Philippus, founder of the Macedonian supremacy, and father of Alexander the Great.
Philip II, founder of Macedonian dominance and father of Alexander the Great.
Phocion, an Athenian general and statesman, a noble and high-minded man, 4th century B.C.
Phocion, an Athenian military leader and politician, was a man of integrity and principle in the 4th century BCE.
He was called by Demosthenes, "the pruner of my periods."
Demosthenes referred to him as "the one who trims my long-winded sentences."
He was put to death by the State in 317, on a false suspicion, and left a message for his son "to bear no grudge against the Athenians."
He was executed by the government in 317 BCE on false charges. Before his death, he left a message for his son, urging him "to bear no grudge against the Athenians."
Pine, torment.
Longing, anguish.
Plato of Athens, 429-347 B.C. He used the dialectic method invented by his master Socrates.
Plato, an Athenian philosopher who lived from 429 to 347 BCE, employed the dialectic method developed by his teacher Socrates.
He was, perhaps, as much poet as philosopher. He is generally identified with the Theory of Ideas, that things are what they are by participation with our eternal Idea. His "Commonwealth" was a kind of Utopia.
He was as much a poet as a philosopher. He's best known for his Theory of Ideas, which suggests that things exist by sharing qualities with eternal, perfect forms. His "Republic" presented a vision of an ideal society.
Platonics, followers of Plato.
Platonists, followers of Plato.
Pompeii, near Mount Vesuvius, buried in the eruption of 79 A. D.
Pompeii, a city near Mount Vesuvius, was buried during the volcanic eruption of 79 AD.
Pompeius, C. Pompeius Magnus, a very successful general at the end of the Roman Republic (106-48 B.C.).
Pompey the Great, a highly accomplished military commander during the late Roman Republic (106-48 BCE).
Prestidigitator, juggler.
Magician, juggler.
Pythagoras of Samos, a philosopher, scientist, and moralist of the 6th century B.C.
Pythagoras of Samos, a 6th century BCE Greek thinker who made significant contributions to philosophy, science, and ethics.
QUADI, a tribe of S. Germany.
QUADI, an ancient Germanic tribe from southern Germany.
M. Aurelius carried on war against them, and part of this book was written in the field.
Marcus Aurelius waged war against them, and he wrote portions of this book while on campaign.
RICTUS, gape, jaws.
Grinning, mouth wide open, jaws agape.
Rusticus, Q. Junius, or Stoic philosopher, twice made consul by M. Aurelius.
Rusticus, Quintus Junius, a Stoic philosopher who was appointed consul twice by Marcus Aurelius.
SACRARY, shrine.
SACRARY: A sacred shrine or sanctuary.
Salaminius, Book 7, XXXVII. Leon of Sala-mis. Socrates was ordered by the Thirty Tyrants to fetch him before them, and Socrates, at his own peril, refused.
In Book 7, chapter 37, Salaminius mentions Leon of Salamis. The Thirty Tyrants ordered Socrates to bring Leon to them, but Socrates refused, risking his own safety in the process.
Sarmatae, a tribe dwelling in Poland.
The Sarmatians, a nomadic people who once inhabited parts of modern-day Poland.
Sceletum, skeleton.
Skeleton.
Sceptics, a school of philosophy founded by Pyrrho (4th century B.C.). He advocated "suspension of judgment," and taught the relativity of knowledge and impossibility of proof. The school is not unlike the Agnostic school.
Skepticism is a philosophical school founded by Pyrrho in the 4th century BCE. He promoted the idea of "suspending judgment" and argued that knowledge is relative and proof is impossible. This school of thought shares similarities with Agnosticism.
Scipio, the name of two great soldiers, P. Corn. Scipio Africanus, conqueror of Hannibal, and P.
Scipio, the name of two renowned military commanders: Publius Cornelius Scipio Africanus, who defeated Hannibal, and P.
Corn. Sc. Afr. Minor, who came into the family by adoption, who destroyed Carthage.
Cornelius Scipio Africanus Minor, who joined the family through adoption, was responsible for the destruction of Carthage.
Secutoriani (a word coined by C.), the Sececutores, light-armed gladiators, who were pitted against others with net and trident.
Secutoriani, a term coined by Caesar, refers to the Sececutores. These were lightly armed gladiators who typically fought against opponents wielding nets and tridents.
Sextus of Chaeronea, a Stoic philosopher, nephew of Plutarch.
Sextus of Chaeronea was a Stoic philosopher and the nephew of the famous historian Plutarch.
Silly, simple, common.
Foolish, basic, ordinary.
Sinuessa, a town in Latium.
Sinuessa, an ancient town in the Latium region of Italy.
Socrates, an Athenian philosopher (469-399 B.C.), founder of the dialectic method. Put to death on a trumped-up charge by his countrymen.
Socrates, an Athenian philosopher (469-399 BCE), pioneered the dialectic method. He was executed by his fellow citizens on false charges.
Stint, limit (without implying niggardliness).
Limit or restrict (without suggesting stinginess).
Stoics, a philosophic system founded by Zeno (4th century B.C.), and systematised by Chrysippus (3rd century B.C.). Their physical theory was a pantheistic materialism, their summum bonum "to live according to nature." Their wise man needs nothing, he is sufficient to himself; virtue is good, vice bad, external things indifferent.
Stoicism, a philosophical system founded by Zeno in the 4th century BC and refined by Chrysippus in the 3rd century BC, emphasizes living in harmony with nature. The Stoics believed in a pantheistic materialism, viewing the universe as a physical entity infused with divine reason. They considered the highest good to be living in accordance with natural laws. In their view, the ideal Stoic sage is self-sufficient and needs nothing external. Virtue is the only true good, vice the only true evil, and all other things are morally neutral.
THEOPHRASTUS, a philosopher, pupil of Aristotle, and his successor as president of the Lyceum. He wrote a large number of works on philosophy and natural history. Died 287 B.C.
Theophrastus was a philosopher who studied under Aristotle and later succeeded him as head of the Lyceum. He authored numerous works on philosophy and natural history before his death in 287 BCE.
Thrasea, P. Thrasea Pactus, a senator and Stoic philosopher, a noble and courageous man. He was condemned to death by Nero.
Thrasea, also known as P. Thrasea Pactus, was a Roman senator and Stoic philosopher. He was renowned for his nobility and bravery. Tragically, Emperor Nero sentenced him to death.
Tiberius, 2nd Roman Emperor (14-31 AD.). He spent the latter part of his life at Capreae (Capri), off Naples, in luxury or debauchery, neglecting his imperial duties.
Tiberius, the second Roman Emperor (14-31 AD), spent his later years on the island of Capri, near Naples. There, he indulged in a life of excess and pleasure, shirking his responsibilities as ruler of the empire.
To-torn, torn to pieces.
Shredded, ripped apart completely.
Trajan, 13th Roman Emperor, 52-117 A.D.
Trajan, 13th Roman Emperor, 52-117 CE
VERUS, Lucius Aurelius, colleague of M. Aurelius in the Empire.
Lucius Aurelius Verus, co-emperor with Marcus Aurelius.
He married Lucilla, daughter of M. A., and died 169 A.D.
He married Lucilla, daughter of Marcus Aurelius, and died in 169 AD.
Vespasian, 9th Roman Emperor XENOCRATES of Chalcedon, 396-314 B.C., a philosopher, and president of the Academy.
Vespasian, the 9th Roman Emperor Xenocrates of Chalcedon (396-314 BC), a philosopher and head of Plato's Academy.