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"Pindar, though the contemporary of Simonides, was considerably his junior. He was born either at, or in the neighborhood of Thebes in Baeotia, about the year 522 B.C. Later writers tell us that his future glory as a poet was miraculously foreshadowed by a swarm of bees which rested upon his lips when he was asleep, and that this miracle first led him to compose poetry. He commenced his profesional career at an early age, and soon acquired so great a reputation, that he was employed by various states and princes of the Hellenic race to compose choral songs." — Smith, 1882

Bust of Pindar

"Pindar, though the contemporary of Simonides, was considerably his junior. He was born either at, or…

"The first writer who deserves the name of a historian is Herodotus, hence called the Father of History. Herodotus was born in the Dorian colony of Halicarnassus in Caria, in the year 484 B.C., and accordingly about the time of the Persian expeditions to Greece." — Smith, 1882

Bust of Herodotus

"The first writer who deserves the name of a historian is Herodotus, hence called the Father of History.…

"Sophocles, the younger rival and immediate successor of Aeschylus in the tragic art, was born at Colonus, a village about a mile from Athens, in b.C. 495. We have already adverted to his wrestling the tragic prize from Aeschylus in 468, from which time he seems to have retained the almost undisputed posession of the Athenian stage, until a young but formidable rival arose in the person of Euripides." — Smith, 1882

Sophocles

"Sophocles, the younger rival and immediate successor of Aeschylus in the tragic art, was born at Colonus,…

"Euripides was born in the island of Salamis, in B.C. 480, his parents having been among those who fled thither at the time of the invasion of Attica by Xerxes. He studied rhetoric under Prodicus, and physics under Anaxagoras." — Smith, 1882

Euripides

"Euripides was born in the island of Salamis, in B.C. 480, his parents having been among those who fled…

"Aristotle was born in 384 B.C., at Stagira, a seaport town of Chalcidice, whence he is frequeently called the Stagirite. At the age of 17, Aristotle, who had then lost both father and mother, repaired to Athens. Plato considered him his best scholar, and called him "the intellect of his school."" — Smith, 1882

Aristotle

"Aristotle was born in 384 B.C., at Stagira, a seaport town of Chalcidice, whence he is frequeently…

"Arms and a chariot are here assigned to June through not properly a warlike goddess. The idea itself, of giving such appendages to Diety, seems borrowed from the habits of the heroic age. The following delineation of a chariot is from an ancient one preserved in the Vatican; <em>Hoc regnum dea</em> etc." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Chariot

"Arms and a chariot are here assigned to June through not properly a warlike goddess. The idea itself,…

"From an ancient sarcophagus, represents Ganymede giving drink to the eagle, or bird of Jobe, and Hebe in disgrace, lying upon the ground." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Ganymede and Eagle

"From an ancient sarcophagus, represents Ganymede giving drink to the eagle, or bird of Jobe, and Hebe…

"Minerva is often represented on gems and coins, hurling the thunderbolts of Jove. The following cut, so representing her, is from a silver coin of Antigonus Gona as itself copied from an ancient statue." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Coin of Minerva

"Minerva is often represented on gems and coins, hurling the thunderbolts of Jove. The following cut,…

"The following cut is taken from the Vatican Juno found in the ruins of Lorium." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Juno

"The following cut is taken from the Vatican Juno found in the ruins of Lorium." — Anthon, 1891

"The vessel is now broadside to the wind, the prow having swung around." — Anthon, 1891

Greek ship

"The vessel is now broadside to the wind, the prow having swung around." — Anthon, 1891

"'Exulting in the tawny covering of a she-wolf, such as his foster-parent was.' Alluding to the custom on the part of the ancient heroes of arraying themselves in the skins of wild animals, in order to strike more terror into the foe and of either making a part of the hide answer the purposes of a helmet, or decking the helmet with it, <em>Genetricis</em>." — Anthon, 1891

Greek soldiers

"'Exulting in the tawny covering of a she-wolf, such as his foster-parent was.' Alluding to the custom…

"The following cuts represent, the first more ancient, and the second the later mode of wearing the toga." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Roman Togas

"The following cuts represent, the first more ancient, and the second the later mode of wearing the…

"The door in front of a temple, as it reeached nearly to the ceiling allowed the worshippers to view from without the entire statue of the divinity, and to observe the rites performed before it. The whole light of the building, moreover, was commonly admitted through the same aperture. These circumstances are illustrated in the following cut, showing the front of a small temple of Jupiter taken from an ancient bas-relief." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Temple of Jupiter

"The door in front of a temple, as it reeached nearly to the ceiling allowed the worshippers to view…

"Represents two forms of the bow; the upper, the Scythian or Parthian bow enstrung, agreeing with the form of that now used by the Tartars, the lower, the ordinary bow, like the one mentioned in the text." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Ancient bows

"Represents two forms of the bow; the upper, the Scythian or Parthian bow enstrung, agreeing with the…

"Altars were either square or round. Specimens of both kinds are here given from ancient sculptures." — Anthon, 1891

Altars

"Altars were either square or round. Specimens of both kinds are here given from ancient sculptures."…

"The figure in the middle of the following illustration is from a most ancient specimen of Etruscan sculpture, and represents an augur with his <em>lituus</em>, or staff. The others are Roman denarii." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Sculpture and coins

"The figure in the middle of the following illustration is from a most ancient specimen of Etruscan…

"Venus and Diana are generally represented with their hair dressed in the simple style of the young Greek girls, whose hair was parted in front, and conducted round to the back of the head so as to conceal the upper part of the ears. It was then tied in a plain knot at the nape of the neck, or, at other times, though less frequently, at the top of the head." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Venus and Diana

"Venus and Diana are generally represented with their hair dressed in the simple style of the young…

""The crested Achilles was pressing on in his chariot." Some idea of the ancient crests may be formed from the following woodcuts, selected from ancient gems." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Crested helmets

""The crested Achilles was pressing on in his chariot." Some idea of the ancient crests may be formed…

"The <em>peplus</em> was a shawl which commonly formed part of the dress of females. It was often fastened by meeans ofa brooch, but was frequently worn without one, in the manner represented in the annexed cut, which is copied from one of Sir W. Hamilton's vases. Each of the females in this group wears an under garmet falling down to her feet, and over it an ample <em>peplus</em>, or shawl, which she passes entirely round her body, and then throws the loose extremity of it over her left shoulder, and behind her back as distinctly seen in the sitting figure." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Peplus

"The peplus was a shawl which commonly formed part of the dress of females. It was often fastened…

"The <em>palla</em>, as well as the <em>pallium</em> and <em>palliolum</em>, was always a rectangular piece of cloth, exactly, or, at least, nearly square. It was, indeed, used in the very form in which it was taken from the loom, being made entirely by the weaver. Among the Greeks and Romans the most common material for the <em>palla</em> was wool. It was often folded about the body simply with a view to defend it from cold, and without any regard to gracefulness of appearance, as in the following cut, taken from an ancient intaglio." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Palla

"The palla, as well as the pallium and palliolum, was always a rectangular…

"The following cut shows specimens of ancient borders to veils and other articles of female attire." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Assorted ornaments

"The following cut shows specimens of ancient borders to veils and other articles of female attire."…

"It is a very common error to translate <em>monile baccatum</em>, "a pearl necklace". The ornament of which we are here speaking is frequently shown in ancient paintings, as in the two following cuts." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Women with necklaces

"It is a very common error to translate monile baccatum, "a pearl necklace". The ornament of…

"It is a very common error to translate <em>monile baccatum</em>, "a pearl necklace". The ornament of which we are here speaking is frequently shown in ancient paintings, &c., as in the two following cuts." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Women with necklaces

"It is a very common error to translate monile baccatum, "a pearl necklace". The ornament of…

"Lampadedromia, torch-race, and often simply, Lampas, was a game common throughout Greece. At Athens we know of five celebrations of this game: one to Prometheus at the Prometheia, a second to Minerva at the Panametheia, a third to Vulcan at the Hephaesteia, a fourth to Pan, and a fifth to the Thracian Diana or Bendis. The three former are of unknown antiquity; the fourth was introduced soon after the battle of Marathon; the last in the time of Socrates. The race was usually run on foot, horses being first used in the time of Socrates: sometimes also at night. The preparation for it was a principal branch of the Gymnasiarchia, so much so indeed in later times, that Lampadarchia, seems to have been pretty much equivalent to the Gymnasiarchia. The gymnasiarch had to provide the lampas, which was a candlestick with a kind of shield set at the bottom of the socket, so as to shelter the flame of the candle; as is seen in the following woodcut, taken from a coin, He had also to provide for the training of the runners, which was of no slight consequence, for the race was evidently a severe one, with other expenses, which on the whole were very heave, so that Isaeus classes this office with the choregia and trierarchia, and reckons that it had cost him 12 minae." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Lampadephoria

"Lampadedromia, torch-race, and often simply, Lampas, was a game common throughout Greece. At Athens…

"The following, also, are specimens of other ancient necklances. The first, small golden lizards alternate with drops. The second one was found at St. Agatha, near Naples, in the sepulchre of a Greek lady. It has 71 pendants. The third, fourth, and fifth, were found in Etrurian tombs." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Ancient necklaces

"The following, also, are specimens of other ancient necklances. The first, small golden lizards alternate…

"An oil lamp. The Greeks and Romans originally used candles; but in later times candles were chiefly confined to the houses of the lower classes. A great number of ancient lamps has come down to us; the greater part of which are made of terra cotta, but also a considerable number of bronze. Most of the lamps are of an oval form, and flat upon the top, on which there are frequently figures in relief. In the lamps there are one or more ellychnia burnt into it. The following is an example of a dumyxos lucerna, upon which there is a winged boy with a goose." — Smith, 1873

Lucerna

"An oil lamp. The Greeks and Romans originally used candles; but in later times candles were chiefly…

"An oil lamp. The Greeks and Romans originally used candles; but in later times candles were chiefly confined to the houses of the lower classes. A great number of ancient lamps has come down to us; the greater part of which are made of terra cotta, but also a considerable number of bronze. Most of the lamps are of an oval form, and flat upon the top, on which there are frequently figures in relief. In the lamps there are one or more ellychnia burnt into it. The following is an example of a dumyxos lucerna, upon which there is a winged boy with a goose." — Smith, 1873

Lucerna

"An oil lamp. The Greeks and Romans originally used candles; but in later times candles were chiefly…

"A lyre, one of the most ancient musical instruments of the stringed kind. The Greeks attributed the invention of the lyre to Mercury, who is said to have formed the instrument of a tortoiseshell, over which he placed gut-strings." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Lyra

"A lyre, one of the most ancient musical instruments of the stringed kind. The Greeks attributed the…

"In the following we have back and front views of the heads of statues from Herculaneum, on which we perceive the <em>vitta</em>." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Herculaneum

"In the following we have back and front views of the heads of statues from Herculaneum, on which we…

"The preceding cut represents the tombstone of a <em>cultrarius</em>, or the individual who slew the victim at the altar, and upon it two <em>cultri/i>, or sacrificial knives." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Tombstone of a cultrarius

"The preceding cut represents the tombstone of a cultrarius, or the individual who slew the…

"A hammer, a mallet. In the hands of the farmer the mallet of wood served to break down the clods and to pulverize them. The butcher used it in slaying cattle, by striking the head, and we often read of it as used by the smith upon the anvil. When several men were employed at te same anvil it was a matter of necessity that they should strike in time, and Virgil, accordingly says of the Cyclopes, "inter se brachia tollunt in numerum." The scene which he describes is represented in the annexed woodcut, taken from an ancient bas-relief, in which Vulcan, Brontes, and Steropes, are seen forging the metal, while the third Cyclops, Pyracmon, blows the bellows. Beside the anvil is seen the vessel of water in which the hot iron or bronze was immersed. But besides the employment of the hammer upon the anvil for making all ordinary utensils, the smith wrought with this instrument figures which were either small and fine, some of their parts being beaten as thin as paper, and being in very high relief, as in the bronzes of Siris, or of colossal proportions, being composed of seperate plates riveted together." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Malleus

"A hammer, a mallet. In the hands of the farmer the mallet of wood served to break down the clods and…

"The spade was but little used in ancient husbandry, the ground having been broken and turned over by the plough, and also by the use of large hoes and rakes. The preceding woodcut, taken a deceased countryman with his falx and bidens, and also with a pala, modified by the addition of a strong cross-bar, by the use of which he was enabled to drive it nearly twice as deep into the ground, as he could have done without it." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Pala

"The spade was but little used in ancient husbandry, the ground having been broken and turned over by…

"An athletic game, in which all the powers of the fighter were called into action. The pancratium was one of the games or gymnastic contests which were exhibited at all the great festivals of Greece; it consisted of boxing and wrestling, and was reckoned to be one of the heavy or hard exercises, on account of the violent exertions it required, and for this reason it was not much practised in the gymnasia. In Homer we find neither the game nor the name of the pancratium mentioned, and as it was not introduced at the Olympic games until Ol. 33, we may presume that the game, though it may have existed long before in a rude state, was not brought to any degree of perfection until a short time before that event. The name of the combatants was Pancratiastae, or Pammachi. They fought naked, and had their bodies anointed and covered with sand, by which they were enabled to take hold of one another. When the contest began, each of the fighters might commence by boxing or by wrestling, accordingly as he thought he should be more successful in the one than in the other. The victory was not decided until one of the parties was killed, or lifted up a finger, thereby declaring that he was unable to continue the contest either from pain or fatigue." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Pancratium

"An athletic game, in which all the powers of the fighter were called into action. The pancratium was…

"A shepherd's crook. On account of its connection with pastoral life, the crook is often seen in works of ancient art, in the hands of Pan, Satyrs, Fauns, and shepherds. It was also the usual attribute of Thalia, as the muse of pastoral poetry." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Pedum

"A shepherd's crook. On account of its connection with pastoral life, the crook is often seen in works…

"A small shield, Iphicrates, observing that the ancient Clipeus was cumbrous and inconvenient, introduced among the Greeks a much smaller and lighter shield, from which those who bore it took the name of peltastae. It consisted principally of a frame of wood or wicker-work, covered with skin or leather. An elegant form of the pelta is exhibited in the preceting cut, representing Penthesilea, Queen of the Amazons, in the act of offering aid to Priam." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Pelta

"A small shield, Iphicrates, observing that the ancient Clipeus was cumbrous and inconvenient, introduced…

"Any piece of felt; more especially, a skull-cap of felt, a hat. These seems no reason to doubt that felting is a more ancient invention than weaving, not that both of these arts came into Europe from Asia. From the Greeks, who were acquainted with this article as early as the age of Homer, the use of felt passed together with its name to the Romans. Its principal use was to make coverings of the head for the male sex, and the most common one was a simple skull-cap." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Pileus

"Any piece of felt; more especially, a skull-cap of felt, a hat. These seems no reason to doubt that…

"A bridge. As the rivers of Greece were small, and the use of the arch known to them only to a limited extent, it is probable that the Greek bridges were built entirely of wood, or, at best, were nothing more than a wooden platform supported upon stone piers at each extremity. Pliny mentions a bridge over the Acheron 1000 feet in length; and also says that the island Euboea was joined to Boeotia by a bridge; but it is probably that both these works were executed after the Roman conquest. The Romans were the first people who applied the arch to the construction of bridges, by which they were enabled to erect structures of great beauty and solidity, as well as utility. The width of the passage-way in a roman bridge was commonly narrow, as compared with modern structures of the same kind, and corresponded with the road leading to and from it. It was divided into three parts. the centre one, for horses and carriages, was denominated agger or iter; and the raised foot paths on each side decursoria, which were enclosed by parapet walls similar in use and appearance to the pluteus in the basilica." — Smith, 1873

Pons Cestius

"A bridge. As the rivers of Greece were small, and the use of the arch known to them only to a limited…

"A bridge. As the rivers of Greece were small, and the use of the arch known to them only to a limited extent, it is probable that the Greek bridges were built entirely of wood, or, at best, were nothing more than a wooden platform supported upon stone piers at each extremity. Pliny mentions a bridge over the Acheron 1000 feet in length; and also says that the island Euboea was joined to Boeotia by a bridge; but it is probably that both these works were executed after the Roman conquest. The Romans were the first people who applied the arch to the construction of bridges, by which they were enabled to erect structures of great beauty and solidity, as well as utility. The width of the passage-way in a roman bridge was commonly narrow, as compared with modern structures of the same kind, and corresponded with the road leading to and from it. It was divided into three parts. the centre one, for horses and carriages, was denominated agger or iter; and the raised foot paths on each side decursoria, which were enclosed by parapet walls similar in use and appearance to the pluteus in the basilica." — Smith, 1873

Pons Aelius

"A bridge. As the rivers of Greece were small, and the use of the arch known to them only to a limited…

"A bridge. As the rivers of Greece were small, and the use of the arch known to them only to a limited extent, it is probable that the Greek bridges were built entirely of wood, or, at best, were nothing more than a wooden platform supported upon stone piers at each extremity. Pliny mentions a bridge over the Acheron 1000 feet in length; and also says that the island Euboea was joined to Boeotia by a bridge; but it is probably that both these works were executed after the Roman conquest. The Romans were the first people who applied the arch to the construction of bridges, by which they were enabled to erect structures of great beauty and solidity, as well as utility. The width of the passage-way in a roman bridge was commonly narrow, as compared with modern structures of the same kind, and corresponded with the road leading to and from it. It was divided into three parts. the centre one, for horses and carriages, was denominated agger or iter; and the raised foot paths on each side decursoria, which were enclosed by parapet walls similar in use and appearance to the pluteus in the basilica." — Smith, 1873

Pons Ariminum

"A bridge. As the rivers of Greece were small, and the use of the arch known to them only to a limited…

"A bridge. As the rivers of Greece were small, and the use of the arch known to them only to a limited extent, it is probable that the Greek bridges were built entirely of wood, or, at best, were nothing more than a wooden platform supported upon stone piers at each extremity. Pliny mentions a bridge over the Acheron 1000 feet in length; and also says that the island Euboea was joined to Boeotia by a bridge; but it is probably that both these works were executed after the Roman conquest. The Romans were the first people who applied the arch to the construction of bridges, by which they were enabled to erect structures of great beauty and solidity, as well as utility. The width of the passage-way in a roman bridge was commonly narrow, as compared with modern structures of the same kind, and corresponded with the road leading to and from it. It was divided into three parts. the centre one, for horses and carriages, was denominated agger or iter; and the raised foot paths on each side decursoria, which were enclosed by parapet walls similar in use and appearance to the pluteus in the basilica." — Smith, 1873

Pons Trajan

"A bridge. As the rivers of Greece were small, and the use of the arch known to them only to a limited…

"A casket, a jewel-box. Quintilian produces this term as an example of catachresis, because it properly denoted that which was made of box, but was applied to things of similar form and use made of any other material. In fact, the caskets in which the ladies of ancient times kept their jewels and other ornaments, were made of gold, silver, ivory, mother of pearl, tortoise shell, etc. They were also much enriched with sculpture. A silver coffer, two feet long, one and a half wide, and one deep, most elaborately adorned with figures in bar-relief, is described by Bottiger. The annexed woodcut, from the antique, represents a plain jewel-box, out of which a dove is extracting a riband or fillet." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Pyxis

"A casket, a jewel-box. Quintilian produces this term as an example of catachresis, because it properly…

"A net. In hunting it was usual to extend nets in a curved line of considerable length, so as in part to suround a space into which the beasts of chase were driven through the opening left on one side. The range of nets was flanked by cords, to which feathers dyed scarlet, and of other bright colours, were tied, so as to flare and flutter in the wind. The hunters then sallied forth with their dogs, dislodged the animals from their coverts, and by shouts and barking drove them first within the formido, as the apparatus of string and feathers was called, and then, as they were scared with this appearance, within the circuit of the nets. The accompanying woodcuts are taken from two bas-reliefs in the collection of ancient marbles at Ince-Blundell in Lancashire." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Retis

"A net. In hunting it was usual to extend nets in a curved line of considerable length, so as in part…

"A caul or coif of network for covering the hair, worn by women during the day as well as the night. it appears to have been sometimes made of gold threads, and likewise of silk and other materials. This kind of covering for the head was very ancient, for it is mentioned by Homer; and it also appears to have been very commonly used in later times. it is seen on the head of the nymph in the following cut, taken from a painting found at Pompeii, which represents a nymph approaching Neptune." — Smith, 1873

Reticulum

"A caul or coif of network for covering the hair, worn by women during the day as well as the night.…

Scene from the story, "The Ancient Mariner."

Mariner

Scene from the story, "The Ancient Mariner."

Scene from the story, "The Ancient Mariner."

Mariner

Scene from the story, "The Ancient Mariner."

Scene from the story, "The Ancient Mariner."

Mariner

Scene from the story, "The Ancient Mariner."

Scene from the story, "The Ancient Mariner."

Mariner

Scene from the story, "The Ancient Mariner."

"Sceptrum, which originally denoted a simple staff or walking stick, was emblematic of station and authority. In ancient authors the sceptre is represented as belonging more especially to kings, princes, and leaders of tribes: but it is also borne by judges, by heralds, and by priests and seers. The sceptre descended from father to son, and might be committed to any one in order to express the transfer of authority. Those who bore the sceptre swore by it, solemnly taking it in the right hand and raising it towards heaven. The following cut, representing Aeneas followed by Ascanius and carrying off his father Anchises, who holds the sceptre in his right hand, shows its form as worn by kings. The ivory sceptre of the kings of Rome, which descended to the consuls, was surmounted by an eagle." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Sceptrum

"Sceptrum, which originally denoted a simple staff or walking stick, was emblematic of station and authority.…

"Sella, the general term for a seat or chair of any description. Sella Curulis, the chair of state. Curulis is derived by the ancient writers from currus, but it more probably contains the same root as curia. The sella curulis is said to have been used at Rome from a very remote period as an emblem of kingly power, having been imported, along with various other insignia of royalty, from Etruria. Under the republic the right of sitting upon this chair belonged to the consuls, praetors, curule aediles, and censors; to the flamen dialis; to the dictator, and to those whom he deputed to act under himself, as the magister equitum, since he might be said to comprehend all magistracies within himself. After the downfall of the constitution, it was assigned to the emperors also, or to their statues in their absence." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Sella

"Sella, the general term for a seat or chair of any description. Sella Curulis, the chair of state.…

"Sella, the general term for a seat or chair of any description. Sella Curulis, the chair of state. Curulis is derived by the ancient writers from currus, but it more probably contains the same root as curia. The sella curulis is said to have been used at Rome from a very remote period as an emblem of kingly power, having been imported, along with various other insignia of royalty, from Etruria. Under the republic the right of sitting upon this chair belonged to the consuls, praetors, curule aediles, and censors; to the flamen dialis; to the dictator, and to those whom he deputed to act under himself, as the magister equitum, since he might be said to comprehend all magistracies within himself. After the downfall of the constitution, it was assigned to the emperors also, or to their statues in their absence." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Sella

"Sella, the general term for a seat or chair of any description. Sella Curulis, the chair of state.…

"Sella, the general term for a seat or chair of any description. Sella Curulis, the chair of state. Curulis is derived by the ancient writers from currus, but it more probably contains the same root as curia. The sella curulis is said to have been used at Rome from a very remote period as an emblem of kingly power, having been imported, along with various other insignia of royalty, from Etruria. Under the republic the right of sitting upon this chair belonged to the consuls, praetors, curule aediles, and censors; to the flamen dialis; to the dictator, and to those whom he deputed to act under himself, as the magister equitum, since he might be said to comprehend all magistracies within himself. After the downfall of the constitution, it was assigned to the emperors also, or to their statues in their absence." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Sella

"Sella, the general term for a seat or chair of any description. Sella Curulis, the chair of state.…

"Sella, the general term for a seat or chair of any description. Sella Curulis, the chair of state. Curulis is derived by the ancient writers from currus, but it more probably contains the same root as curia. The sella curulis is said to have been used at Rome from a very remote period as an emblem of kingly power, having been imported, along with various other insignia of royalty, from Etruria. Under the republic the right of sitting upon this chair belonged to the consuls, praetors, curule aediles, and censors; to the flamen dialis; to the dictator, and to those whom he deputed to act under himself, as the magister equitum, since he might be said to comprehend all magistracies within himself. After the downfall of the constitution, it was assigned to the emperors also, or to their statues in their absence." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Sella

"Sella, the general term for a seat or chair of any description. Sella Curulis, the chair of state.…

"Signa Militaria, military ensigns or standards. The most ancient standard employed by the Romans is said to have been a handful of straw fixed to the top of a spear or pole. Hence the company of soldiers belonging to it was called Manipulus. The bundle of hay or fern was soon succeeded by the figures of animals, viz. the eagle, the wolf, the minotaur, the horse, and the boar. These appear to have corresponded to the five divisions of the Roman army." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Signa Militaria

"Signa Militaria, military ensigns or standards. The most ancient standard employed by the Romans is…

"Speculum, a mirror, a looking-glass. The looking-glasses of the ancients were usually made of metal, at first of a composition of tin and copper, but afterwards more frequently of silver. The ancients seem to have had glass mirrors also like ours, consisting of a glass plate covered at the back with a thin leaf of metal. They were manufactured as early as the time of Pliny at the celebrated glass-houses at Sidon, but they must have been inferior to those of metal, since they never came into general use, and are never mentioned by ancient writers among costly pieces of furniture, whereas metal mirrors frequently are. Looking-glasses were generally small, and such as could by carried in the hand. Instead of their being fixed so as to be hung against the wall or to stand upon the table or floor, they were generally held by female slaves before their mistresses when dressing. The general form of looking-glasses is shown in the following wood-cut." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Speculum

"Speculum, a mirror, a looking-glass. The looking-glasses of the ancients were usually made of metal,…

"A Greek measure of length, and the chief one used for itinerary distances. It was equal to 600 Greek or 625 Roman feet, or to 125 Roman paces; and the roman mile contained 8 stadia. Hence the stadiura contained 600 feet 9 inches English. This standard prvailed throughout Greece, under the name of the Olympic stadium, so called because it was the exact length of the stadium or footrace course at Olympia, measured between the pillars at the two extremities of the course. The first use of the measure seems to be contemporaneous with the formation of the stadium at Olympia when the Olympic games were revived by Iphitus." &mdash; Smith, 1873

Stadium

"A Greek measure of length, and the chief one used for itinerary distances. It was equal to 600 Greek…

A tunic garmet usually worn by both men and women among the ancient greeks.

Chiton

A tunic garmet usually worn by both men and women among the ancient greeks.

"The following cut, from an ancient gem, represents Diomede in the act of bearing away the Palladium." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Diomede

"The following cut, from an ancient gem, represents Diomede in the act of bearing away the Palladium."…

"The early Greeks used a very short sword, as may be seen from the preceding cut. The ancient Homeric sword had generally a straight, two-edged blade, rather broad, and nearly of equal width from hilt to point." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Greek soldier

"The early Greeks used a very short sword, as may be seen from the preceding cut. The ancient Homeric…

"The chlamys was a species of cloak or scarf, oblong instead of square, its length being generally about twice its breadth." &mdash; Anthon, 1891

Chlamys

"The chlamys was a species of cloak or scarf, oblong instead of square, its length being generally about…

Greek ship with the sail reefed.

Greek ship

Greek ship with the sail reefed.