Anput

From Egyptian jnpwt as rendered in the outdated 19th-century transcription scheme developed by Karl Richard Lepsius (ȧnput).

(Egyptian mythology) An ancient Egyptian goddess, the wife of Anubis


Satis

(Egyptian mythology) A war, hunting, and fertility goddess


megaduke

From Byzantine Greek μέγας δούξ (mégas doúx, literally “great leader”). By surface analysis, mega- + duke.

bor

Roger de Flor was given the title of megaduke and the King of Bulgaria's daughter as his wife.

1968, Alan Lloyd, The Spanish Centuries, page 56:

In September 1169 the Byzantine admiral, the megaduke Andronicus Contostephanus, arrived in Tyre […]

1979, Jean Richard, translated by Janet Shirley, The Latin Kingdom of Jerusalem, volume 1, page 50:

After Manuel's death, the actual number of ships and sailors under the megaduke had declined significantly, and the sailors tended to consist of unreliable foreigners.

1987, John V. A. Fine, Jr., The Late Medieval Balkans: A Critical Survey from the Late Twelfth Century to the Ottoman Conquest, page 35:

(historical, military) The commander in chief of the Byzantine navy.


Apep

(Egyptian mythology) Alternative form of Apophis


Bes

The god Bes occurred so early in the human imagination that it reaches back to the earliest of human settlements along the Nile.

2009, Molefi Kete Asante, Ama Mazama, editors, Encyclopedia of African Religion, SAGE, →ISBN, page 121:

(Egyptian mythology) An ancient Egyptian god, the protector of households and mothers, children and childbirth.


Nefertem

(Egyptian mythology) An ancient Egyptian god, who represented the first sunlight and the delightful smell of the Egyptian blue lotus flower


Deucalion

From Ancient Greek Δευκαλίων (Deukalíōn).

(Greek mythology) The son of Prometheus, husband of Pyrrha. Both survived a deluge sent by Zeus to punish the human race.


prosodion

Ultimately from Ancient Greek πρόσοδος (prósodos, “procession”).


Auramazda

Though the king was thus above all human law, he felt himself bound to recognize the higher or divine law of Auramazda.

1922, Maneckji Nusserwanji Dhalla, Zoroastrian Civilization, page 228:


Graeae

From Ancient Greek Γραῖαι (Graîai), from γραῖα (graîa, “old woman”), perhaps from γραῦς (graûs).

(Greek mythology) Three sisters, old women with grey hair — Deino (or Dino), Enyo, and Pemphredo (or Pephredo) — who shared a single eye and a single tooth. They were daughters of the sea-deities Phorcys and Ceto.


Phorcides

(Greek mythology) Synonym of Graeae (“mythological sisters”)


Antaeus

(Greek mythology) The son of Poseidon and Gaea.


Coronis

(Greek mythology) Any of several figures from Greek mythology


Neith

(Egyptian mythology) The primeval goddess of war and creator deity.


offering formula

en-noun

offering formula (plural offering formulas)

a conventional Ancient Egyptian dedicatory text inscribed on funerary objects, beginning with the phrase ḥtp ḏj or ḥtp ḏj nswt and indicating a funerary gift authorized by the king and provided by the funerary establishment of a local god


Coele-Syria

Borrowed from Latin Coelē Syria, from Ancient Greek Κοίλη Συρία (Koílē Suría). Literally “Hollow Syria”.

A Hellenistic region and imperial Roman province of Syria.


diazoma

From Ancient Greek δῐάζωμᾰ (dĭázōmă, “girdle”).

der

(theater, Ancient Greece) A corridor that divided sections of an Ancient Greek theatre.


cross the Styx

en-verb

cross the Styx (third-person singular simple present crosses the Styx, present participle crossing the Styx, simple past and past participle crossed the Styx)

crosses the Styx (present singular third-person)
crossing the Styx (participle present)
crossed the Styx (participle past)
crossed the Styx (past)

From Greek mythology, after Styx, a river that forms the boundary between Earth and the Underworld, over which the ferryman Charon transports the souls of the newly dead. See Styx on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

The following day Nigel apologized for what he described as an unhappy domestic interlude. “Marietta tells me that you are going to come over every day until . . . I cross the Styx.” I heard him chuckle. “Jolly nice of you, old boy.”

2009, Peter Wright, Triumphs and Tragedies: Twenty-five Aspects of the Life of a Liverpool Sailor, Bloomington, IN: iUniverse, →ISBN, page 172:

We know what’s sprouting, but Mantel’s trilogy lets us imagine that it might all have been different. Did Anne Boleyn’s neck have to meet the sword of an executioner brought from Calais to do her in? Did Thomas Cromwell have to cross the Styx himself four years later?

2020 March 28, Catherine Holmes, “Review: Mantel’s trilogy finale gives us the end of Cromwell’s action-packed life”, in The Post and Courier:

(intransitive, literary or humorous) To die.


Apam Napat

(Zoroastrianism) One of the Ahura triad of the Avestan tradition.


Ereshkigal

Ultimately from Sumerian 𒀭𒎏𒆠𒃲 (ᵈereš-ki-gal /Ereškigalak/).

der

1911, Morris Jastrow, Aspects of Religious Belief and Practice in Babylonia and Assyria, G. P. Putnam's Sons, page 369,
A myth^‡ describes how Nergal invaded the domain of Ereshkigal, and forced her to yield her dominion to him. The gods are depicted as holding a feast to which all come except Ereshkigal.

1988, Samuel A. Meier, The Messenger in the Ancient Semitic World, Scholars' Press, page 159,
There still remains the problem of why the messenger from heaven bows while the messenger from below receives homage. In light of the suggestion earlier that Ereshkigal is depicted in a much more favorable light than the heavenly trinity of ruling gods, the issue of bowing messengers reaffirms this impression.

1996, Tanya Wilkinson, Persephone Returns: Victims, Heroes and the Journey from the Underworld, PageMill Press, page 237,
The dark sister is Ereshkigal, a Goddess with clear qualities and strong emotions. The myth describes in detail how Inanna surrenders to an excruciating, dismembering initiation into the Underworld.

(Mesopotamian mythology) The goddess of the underworld.


Minyan

From Latin Minyes (from Ancient Greek Μινύες (Minúes)) + -an.

(Greek mythology) A member of a race said to be autochthonous to the Aegean area.


pyramid inch

(historical, pyramidology) A unit of measure claimed by pyramidologists to have been used in ancient times. Supposedly one twenty-fifth of a "sacred cubit", 1.00106 imperial inches, or 2.5426924 centimetres.


Aeaean

(Greek mythology) Of or relating to the mythical island of Aeaea.


druj

(Zoroastrianism) Deceit, falsehood, lie.


Querquetulanae

These Querquetulanae have an apparent, or barely possible, survival in the spirits called Querkeln in Bavaria.

2002, Charles Godfrey Leland, Etruscan Roman Remains and the Old Religion, page 106:

There weren't demons or vampires or fairies or shellycoats or Querquetulanae or any of that stuff.

2018, W. Stone Cotter, Saint Philomene's Infirmary for Magical Creatures:

They are partly associated with the Querquetulanae, the Roman nymphs of the oak grove.

2019, Maria Papachristos, Muses - Nymphs - Other Gods, page 55:

(Roman mythology) The nymphs of the oak grove.


Larsa

an ancient city in Sumer, in modern-day southern Iraq, now an archeological site


Valley of the Queens

From valley + queen. From being a valley that was the burial place for the wives of pharaohs, ie. queens.

(Egyptology) A valley in Egypt, that contains many tombs of Queens of Pharaohs.


Ancient Near East

The Near East from the 4th millennium BC until the Muslim conquests.


ancient Near Eastern

en-adj

ancient Near Eastern (comparative more ancient Near Eastern, superlative most ancient Near Eastern)

more ancient Near Eastern (comparative)
most ancient Near Eastern (superlative)

Of or pertaining to the Ancient Near East.

proche-oriental ancien

of or pertaining to the Ancient Near East


Proserpine

(Roman mythology) Alternative form of Proserpina (“Roman goddess of the seasons and spring vegetation, daughter of Ceres and Jupiter; queen of the Underworld as wife of Pluto; equivalent to Greek Persephone and old Italic deity Libera”)


Absyrtus

(Greek mythology) A Colchian prince, the son of Aeëtes.


Apsyrtus

(Greek mythology) Alternative form of Absyrtus


Aaru

Learned borrowing from Egyptian jꜣrw (“reeds”) as rendered in the outdated 19th-century transcription scheme developed by Karl Richard Lepsius (ȧaru), part of the complete term sḫt-jꜣrw (literally “field of reeds”).

lbor

(Egyptian mythology) In ancient Egyptian mythology, the heavenly paradise where Osiris rules, described as boundless reed fields like those of the Nile Delta.


rhesis

Such speeches (like the rheses) have the distinction of length, often exceeding one hundred lines; they give the impression that for a time dramatic effect is suspended, and, as a substitute, the recognised features of Epic Poetry supply a new interest.

1890, Richard Green Moulton, The Ancient Classical Drama: A Study in Literary Evolution, page 145:

The chorus or chorus-coryphaeus is followed by a rhesis of the actor, followed in its turn by a stichic dialogue A/actor which usually culminates in a stichomythia.

1975, Francisco Rodríguez Adrados, Festival, Comedy and Tragedy: The Greek Origins of Theatre, page 147:

A scheme that includes tetrameter sets off the rhesis from dialogue even more starkly , but it considerably enhances the potential of actor-chorus dialogue to be an effective balance to the long speech.

1982, Ann N. Michelini, Tradition and Dramatic Form in "The Persians" of Aeschylus, page 60:

(theater, Ancient Greece) A passage of text in a play.


Aeacus

(Greek mythology) A king of the island of Aegina in the Saronic Gulf, one of the three judges in Hades.


anaktoron

From Ancient Greek ἀνακτόρῐος (anaktórĭos, “belonging to a lord”), from ἀνάκτωρ (anáktōr, “lord”), from ἄναξ (ánax, “lord”).

bor

Most scholars name the rectangular enclosure anaktoron, locate in it the throne of the hierophant, and suppose that from it emanated the central revelation which occurred, in Plutarch's phrase, ‘when the anaktora were opened’. But it is also argued that anaktoron/anaktora refer always, as they certainly do sometimes, to the whole telesterion.

2005, Robert Parker, Polytheism and Society at Athens, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 351:

Eleusinian Mysteries
Eleusinian Mysteries

(historical, Ancient Greece) A palace that only hierophants were permitted to enter as part of the Eleusinian Mysteries.


Antilochus

From Ancient Greek Ἀντίλοχος (Antílokhos).

(Greek mythology) A prince of Pylos and one of the Achaeans in the Trojan War.


dodecadrachm

An Ancient Greek gold coin that had a value of twelve drachmas


Velchanos

Ultimately from Ancient Greek Ϝελχάνος (Welkhános). Possibly cognate with Chania on Crete. Also compare Veles, a Slavic god of nature and the underworld.

(Greek mythology) A god of the ancient Minoans, originally associated with vegetation but later conflated with Zeus.


quinquennalian

(historical) Of or related to a quinquennalia.


Ramesseum

The memorial temple of Pharaoh Ramesses II, located in the Theban Necropolis in Upper Egypt, on the west of the River Nile.


Iphimedeia

From Ancient Greek Ἰφιμέδεια (Iphimédeia).

(Greek mythology) A Thessalian princess, the daughter of Triopas of Thessaly (a son of Poseidon and Canace).


Poseidonia

From Latin Poseidonia, from Ancient Greek Ποσειδωνία (Poseidōnía); or directly from Greek Ποσειδωνία (Poseidonía). From Ποσειδῶν (Poseidôn) + -ία (-ía). Equivalent to Poseidon + -ia.

(Greek mythology) Synonym of Athens, from the myth The Gift of Athena about the origin of Athens.


Aramaeogram

From Latin Aramaeus (“an Aramaean”) -o- + -gram.

(linguistics) The spelling of an Aramaic word employed as a logogram to represent another word in another language when writing this language, such as Middle Persian.


Lityerses

From Ancient Greek Λιτυέρσης (Lituérsēs).

(Greek mythology) An illegitimate son of Midas (or of Comis) and Demeter, who challenged people to harvesting contests and beheaded those he beat, putting the rest of their bodies in the sheaves. Heracles won the contest and killed him.


Pygmalion

From Ancient Greek Πυγμαλίων (Pugmalíōn), from Phoenician 𐤐𐤏𐤌𐤉𐤕𐤍 (pʿmytn /puġ‘mayaton/), from Phoenician 𐤐𐤌𐤉𐤉𐤕𐤍 (pmyytn /pumayyaton/, “Pumay has given”), from Phoenician 𐤐𐤌𐤉 (pmy, “Pumay”) + Phoenician 𐤉𐤕𐤍 (ytn /yaton/, “to give”).

der

(Greek mythology) A legendary sculptor who was granted the wish of having life given to a sculpture of his which he fell deeply in love with.


Campe

(Greek mythology) A female monster, the guard in Tartarus of the Cyclopes and Hundred-Handers, whom Cronus, ruler of the Titans, had imprisoned there.


Kneph

A motif in ancient Egyptian religious art, variously a winged egg, a globe surrounded by one or more serpents, or Amun in the form of a serpent called Kematef.


Eteoclus

(Greek mythology) The son of Iphis, who participated in the war on Thebes.


Phthonus

From Ancient Greek Φθόνος (Phthónos, “Phthonos, god of envy and jealousy”), from φθόνος (phthónos, “envy, jealousy”).

bor

Coordinate term: Invidia

(Greek mythology) The god of jealousy and envy.


Byzantian

en-adj

Byzantian (comparative more Byzantian, superlative most Byzantian)

more Byzantian (comparative)
most Byzantian (superlative)

Alternative form of Byzantine (“of or pertaining to Byzantium”)


Byzantian

Alternative form of Byzantine (“native of Byzantium”)


Polymestor

From Ancient Greek Πολυμήστωρ (Polumḗstōr).

(Greek mythology) A king of Thrace whose wife was Ilione, the eldest daughter of King Priam.


Polymnestor

(Greek mythology) Alternative form of Polymestor


Sumerocentric

Sumerocentric (comparative more Sumerocentric, superlative most Sumerocentric)

more Sumerocentric (comparative)
most Sumerocentric (superlative)


Nephele

(Greek mythology) A cloud nymph who figured prominently in the story of Phrixus and Helle.


Tritoness

(Greek mythology) A female spirit of the sea.


Faucian

Faucian (comparative more Faucian, superlative most Faucian)

more Faucian (comparative)
most Faucian (superlative)

From Fauci, the name of one of the genes, or clans, of Ancient Rome + -an.

The Faucian curia is likewise stated to have been considered unlucky , as having been the first in the year both of the Gallic capture of the city , and of the Caudine disaster -- to which Licinius Macer added the Cremera;

1855, Sir George Cornewall Lewis, An Inquiry Into the Credibility of the Early Roman History:

Papirius appointed Caius Junius Bubulcus master of the horse; and, as he was proceeding in an assembly of the Curiæ to get an order passed respecting the command of the army, an unlucky omen obliged him to adjourn it; for the Curia which was to vote first, happened to be the Faucian, remarkably distinguished by two disasters, the taking of the city, and the Caudine peace; the same Curia having voted first in those years in which the said events are found.

1868, Livy, translated by Daniel Spillan, Cyrus R. Edmonds, and William Alexander McDevitte, The History of Rome, page 614:

The lot had fallen to this Faucian curia to be first in two calamitous years, that of the capture of Rome and of the Claudine forts.

1896, Joseph-Louis-Elzéar Ortolan, Iltudus Thomas Prichard, David Nasmith, The History of Roman Law, page 29:

Pertaining to the Fauci family of Ancient Rome.


Idomenean

(Greek mythology) Of or relating to Idomeneus.


Aerope

(Greek mythology) The daughter of Catreus, king of Crete, and sister to Clymene, Apemosyne and Althaemenes. Catreus gave her to Nauplius, to be drowned or sold abroad, but Nauplius spared her.

(Greek mythology) A daughter of Cepheus of Arcadia, who was king of Tegea.


Ramesside

From French Ramesside, from Ramsès (“Ramesses”) + -ide (“-id: forming dynastic names”). Doublet of Ramessid.

Ramesside Egypt

Ramesside texts

Of or relating to the Ramesside period of ancient Egyptian history, named such after its eleven pharaohs named Ramesses.


Polynoe

From Ancient Greek Πουλυνόη (Poulunóē, literally “giver of reason; richness of mind, thoughtful”).


Porrima

(Roman mythology) The goddess Antevorta.


stathmos

(historical, Ancient Greece) A day's military march.


Uruk period

(historical) A period between circa 4000 to 3100 BC which saw the emergence of urban life in Mesopotamia and the Sumerian civilization.


Academus

(Greek mythology) An Athenian hero who saved Athens by preventing an invasion by Castor and Pollux.


Britomartis

From Ancient Greek Βριτόμαρτις (Britómartis).

(Greek mythology) A Greek goddess of mountains and hunting, primarily worshipped on the island of Crete.


Adephagia

From Ancient Greek Ἀδηφαγία (Adēphagía).

(Greek mythology) The goddess and personification of gluttony.


exodium

It was said that the campaigning of Crassus had ended, like a tragedy, with an exodium—which seems to mean an amusing scene.

1963, W[illiam] Beare, The Roman Stage: A Short History of Latin Drama in the Time of the Republic, third edition, New York, N.Y.: Barnes & Noble, Inc., page 20:

(historical, Ancient Rome) Synonym of exode (“a comic performance after a tragedy”)


pomarium

(historical, obsolete) Alternative spelling of pomerium


Byzas

Learned borrowing from Latin Bȳzās, from Ancient Greek Βύζας (Búzas).

Romulus and Byzas are obviously parallel figures not only in their capacity as founders, but also in their genealogies.

2019, Marion Kruse, The Politics of Roman Memory: From the Fall of the Western Empire to the Age of Justinian, University of Pennsylvania Press, →ISBN, page 49:

(Ancient Greece) The legendary founder of Byzantium.


Himeros

Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἵμερος (Hímeros), ἵμερος (hímeros, “yearning, desire”).

1999, Janet Lloyd (translator), Claude Calame, Taylor & Francis (Routledge), The Poetics of Eros in Ancient Greece, [1992, I Greci e l'eros], Princeton University Press, pages 31-32,
A late-fifth-century hydria represents Himeros as a young boy who is present at the judgment of Paris: while Eros concentrates on winning over the young shepherd, Himeros and Pothos flank Aphrodite, indicating that this is the goddess upon whom his choice will fall. And a famous black-figure plaque dating from as early as dating from as early as the mid-sixth century shows Aphrodite holding in her arms two wingless children named, respectively, Himeros and Pothos.

While both love gods Eros and Himeros are regularly associated with Aphrodite, and they often appear together or separately in overtly erotic contexts, it is a bit tricky to differentiate between these two figures with precision.

2010, Monica S. Cyrino, Aphrodite, page 45:

The Greeks observed that Himeros often mingled with other goddesses, namely the Graces and the Hours and with Persuasion (Peitho) and Eros, all in the company of Aphrodite. How strange it is that in our times, Himeros often is found in the company of boredom, weariness and emptiness, since to experience desire and yearning is regarded as being deprived! Even though fulfillment is yet to come, Himeros is neither bored nor deprived.

2010, Betty Mallett Smith, The Greek Dialogues, Xlibris, page 460:

(Greek mythology) The Greek god of uncontrollable desire, often depicted as a winged child attendant to Aphrodite.


Kallipolis

From Ancient Greek Καλλίπολις (Kallípolis, “City of Beauty”). Doublet of Callipolis, Gallipoli, and Gelibolu.

doublet

(philosophy) The utopian city state ruled by philosopher kings as theorised by Plato in the Republic.


Pheme

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek Φήμη (Phḗmē).

lbor

(Greek mythology) The personification of fame and renown, her favour being notability, her wrath being scandalous rumours.


Virbius

(Greek mythology) The resurrected Hippolytus of Athens, who (according to some accounts) became the king of the Aricians and ruled from inside the shrine of Diana.


Volcanus

(Roman mythology) Synonym of Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and metalwork.


Erisian

en-adj

Erisian (comparative more Erisian, superlative most Erisian)

more Erisian (comparative)
most Erisian (superlative)

(Greek mythology) Of or relating to Eris.


Ramessid

From Ramesses + -id, probably under influence from German Ramessiden.


Ops

Learned borrowing from Latin Ops, from Latin ops (“resources, wealth”), from Proto-Indo-European *h₃ep-(i)-, *h₃op-(i)- (“force, ability”), from *h₃ep- base

(Roman mythology) The goddess of earth and fertility. Equivalent to the Greek Rhea, Ops was the sister-wife of Saturn and mother of Jupiter. After Saturn learned of a prophecy that his children by Ops would overthrow him, he ate each of them just after they were born; however, Ops saved Jupiter by feeding Saturn a stone instead.


Sterquilinus

(Roman mythology) A Roman god of odor and manure.


Camuliana

From Greek Καμουλιαναί (Kamoulianaí), Greek Καμούλιανα (Kamoúliana).

An ancient town in Turkey, from Ancient Greece.


Agenor

/əˈd͡ʒiːnɔː/

Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ἀγήνωρ (Agḗnōr).

bor+

(Greek mythology) King of Phoenicia, father of Cadmus and Europa, and ancestor of Dido.


Anaxarete

/əˌnæksəˈɹɛti/

From Ancient Greek Ἀναξαρέτη (Anaxarétē).

(Greek mythology) a rich and beautiful maiden of Cyprus, who, disdaining the love of Iphis, was changed to stone.


Athamas

(Greek mythology) A Boeotian king, father of Phrixus and Helle by his first wife Nephele, whom he deserted for Ino.


Anticlea

From Ancient Greek Ἀντίκλεια (Antíkleia, literally “without fame”).

bor

(Greek mythology) A queen of Ithaca, the wife of King Laërtes.


Anticlia

(Greek mythology) Alternative form of Anticlea


Itylos

(Greek mythology) Alternative form of Itylus


Phaethusa

From Ancient Greek Φαέθουσα (Phaéthousa, literally “radiance”).

(Greek mythology) A daughter of Helios and Neaera, the personification of the brilliant, blinding rays of the sun. With her sister, Lampetia, she guarded the cattle of Thrinacia.


Phaethontic

(Greek mythology) Of or relating to Phaëthon.


Codrus

(Greek mythology) The last of the semi-mythical kings of Athens (r. ca 1089–1068 BC), an ancient exemplar of patriotism and self-sacrifice.


Broucheion

(historical) A neighborhood of Alexandria.


Procopius

Via Latin Procopius from Koine Greek Προκόπῐος (Prokópĭos), from Ancient Greek προκοπή (prokopḗ, “progress forward to prosperity; advancement toward success; improvement by diligence”), with Latin suffix -ius equivalent to Greek suffix -ῐος (-ĭos).

der

A male given name of historical usage, notably borne by Procopius of Caesarea, a Byzantine Greek historian of the 6th century C.E.


Soter

Borrowed from Ancient Greek σωτήρ (sōtḗr).

(Ancient Greece) An honorific epithet for rulers, heroes, and gods.


Antevorta

(Roman mythology) An ancient Roman goddess of the future.


Hellanodikas

From Ancient Greek Ἑλλανοδίκας (Hellanodíkas, literally “Judge of the Greeks”).

bor

(historical, Ancient Greece) A judge of the Olympic Games.


Hesione

(Greek mythology) Any of various women in Greek mythology, especially the Trojan princess who was the daughter of King Laomedon.


Medjed

Borrowed from Egyptian mḏd (“Medjed”, literally “the true-striking”).

bor+

(Egyptian mythology) A minor god mentioned in the Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead.


shepherd king

The dark days of the "Shepherd" or "Hyksos" kings, that were to the imagination of later Egypt what the Babylonian Captivity was to the Jews, or the Danish Terror to early England.

1907, Ronald M. Burrows, The Discoveries In Crete, page 72:

(Egyptology) One of the Hyksos, kings of the Fifteenth Dynasty of Egypt (fl. c. 1650–1550 BC).


maelid

(Greek mythology) The nymph associated with an apple tree.


Thersitean

en-adj

Thersitean (comparative more Thersitean, superlative most Thersitean)

more Thersitean (comparative)
most Thersitean (superlative)

It is instructive to compare the Thersitean critique of communal identity with the narratives of an emergent English nationalism.

2005, Simon Barker, Shakespeare's Problem Plays:

(Greek mythology) Of or relating to Thersites, a Greek soldier during the Trojan War who was punished for his outspoken criticism of Agamemnon.


Islands of the Blessed

Islands of the Blest
Islands of the Blest


Camenae

(Roman mythology) A group of prophetic goddesses associated with childbirth, wells, and fountains.


Camoenae

(Roman mythology) Alternative form of Camenae


Bundahishn

Borrowed from Avestan 𐬠𐬎𐬥𐬛𐬀𐬵𐬌𐬱𐬥𐬍𐬵 (bundahišnīh, literally “primal creation”), being a word from the first sentence of the younger (and longer) of the two recensions of the work.

bor

The Bundahishn chapter is here given in outline, renderings from West's translation being sometimes adopted verbatim.

1896, A. V. Williams Jackson, “The Ancient Persian Doctrine of A Future Life”, in William Rainey Harper, Ernest DeWitt Burton, Shailer Mathews, editors, The Biblical World, New Series: Volume 8, University of Chicago Press, page 162:

1997 [Routledge], Alan Williams, 2: Later Zoroastrianism, Brian Carr, Indira Mahalingam (editors), Companion Encyclopedia of Asian Philosophy, 2005, Taylor & Francis e-Library, page 23,
The Bundahishn is concerned with, among other things, the themes of the creation of the world, the order of things, and the eschatological destiny of both the individual soul and the world at large.

According to Bundahishn, the prophet had exclaimed that with the disintegration of the body and the destruction of matter, the reconstruction of the body would not be possible.

2003, Farhang Mehr, The Zoroastrian Tradition, Mazda Publishers, page 143:

(religion, Zoroastrianism, mythology) An encyclopaedic collection of Zoroastrian cosmogony and cosmology; especially, the longer of the two recessions of the work.


Pyroeis

Borrowed from Ancient Greek Πυρόεις (Puróeis).

bor+

The god of the wandering star Ἄρειος (Áreios), or planet Mars


Iacchic

(Greek mythology) Of or relating to Iacchus.


Iakchos

(Greek mythology) Alternative form of Iacchus


Postverta

(Roman mythology) An ancient Roman goddess of the past, sister of Antevorta.


Postvorta

(Roman mythology) Alternative form of Postverta


Carmentae

(Roman mythology) The goddesses Antevorta and Postverta.


Argestes

(Roman mythology) A wind from the west-northwest (according to Pliny the Elder) or west-southwest (according to Vitruvius).


verbenarius

(Ancient Rome, politics, religion, historical) A fetial with the ceremonial function of carrying sacred vervain.


Ixionian

en-adj

Ixionian (comparative more Ixionian, superlative most Ixionian)

more Ixionian (comparative)
most Ixionian (superlative)

the Ixionian wheel

(Greek mythology) Of or relating to Ixion.


lotus-eater

Calque of Ancient Greek Λωτοφάγος (Lōtophágos), described in the epic poem the Odyssey, Book IX.

cal

Men of Ithaca, this is meeter, / In the hollow rosy vale to tarry, / Like a dreamy Lotos-eater, a delirious Lotos-eater!

1832 December (indicated as 1833), Alfred Tennyson, “The Lotos-Eaters”, in Poems, London: Edward Moxon, […], →OCLC, page 116:

(Greek mythology) A member of the legendary people living on an island dominated by the lotus tree, who have forgotten their homes due to the fruits' narcotic and stupefying effect.

giolla na leisce

someone with an easy life who does not worry about much


Curete

Borrowed from Ancient Greek Κουρῆτες (Kourêtes).

(Greek mythology) One of a legendary tribe of people who took part in the quarrel over the Calydonian boar, identified in antiquity as either Aetolians or Acarnanians.


diadochus

Learned borrowing from Ancient Greek διάδοχος (diádokhos).

lbor

Any of the rival families who fought for control over Alexander the Great's empire after his death.


Khepri

(Egyptian mythology) A scarab-faced god who represents the rising or morning sun.


Khepera

Khepera eating his own seed is a model of Romantic creativity, where the self is isolated and sexually dual.

1990, Camille Paglia, Sexual Personae, Yale University Press, →ISBN, page 41:

(Egyptian mythology) Alternative form of Khepri


ichthyocentaur

From Ancient Greek ἰχθυοκένταυρος (ikhthuokéntauros).

der

ἰχθυοκένταυρος

(Greek mythology) A centaurian sea being with the upper body of a human, the lower anterior half and forelegs of a horse, and the tailed half of a fish.


Enheduanna

Borrowed from Sumerian 𒂗𒃶𒌌𒀭𒈾 (literally “Ornament of Heaven”).

bor+

A priestess of the moon deity Nanna and the first named author.


Nanna-Suen

(Mesopotamian mythology) Synonym of Nanna (god of the moon)


alopekis

Borrowed from Ancient Greek ἀλωπεκίς (alōpekís).


Lachish

bor

Hebrew לָכִישׁ (lāḵīš)

Unearthed in Lachish, a Canaanite city state in the second millennium BCE and the second most important city in the kingdom of Judah, the comb suggests that humans have endured lice for thousands of years and that even the wealthiest were not spared the grim infestations.

2022 November 9, Ian Sample, “Oldest known sentence written in first alphabet discovered – on a head-lice comb”, in The Guardian:

An ancient Canaanite and Israelite city in the Shephelah region of Israel, now an archeological site and national park.


Aeacid

(Greek mythology) A descendant of King Aeacus.


Panchaia

(Greek mythology) An island said to be the home of a utopian multiethnic society.


Chorus

From Medieval Latin chorus, Latin chorus, from Ancient Greek χορός (khorós); further etymology uncertain, perhaps from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰer- or *ǵʰoros.

Enter Chorus. / Cut is the branch that might haue growne ful ſtraight, / And burned is Apolloes Laurel bough, / That ſometime grew within this learned man: […]

1589–1592 (date written), Ch[ristopher] Marl[owe], The Tragicall History of D. Faustus. […], London: […] V[alentine] S[immes] for Thomas Bushell, published 1604, →OCLC, signature [F3], recto:

Ya're as good as a Chorus my lord.

c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shake-speare, The Tragicall Historie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke: […] (First Quarto), London: […] [Valentine Simmes] for N[icholas] L[ing] and Iohn Trundell, published 1603, →OCLC, [Act III, scene ii]:

(Ancient Greece, historical) A group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song.

(Ancient Greece, historical) A song performed by the singers of such a group.


quartarius

en-noun

quartarius (plural quartariuses or quartarii)

quartariuses (plural)
quartarii (plural)

From Latin quārtārius (“one-fourth”), from quārtus (“fourth”) + -ārius (“-ary: forming adj.”) from its relation to the sextarius. Doublet of quartary.

(historical) A Roman unit of liquid measure reckoned as the volume of 5/12 Roman pound of wine and equivalent to about 0.14 L although varying slightly over time.


Thutmose

From Ancient Greek Θούθμωσις (Thoúthmōsis), borrowed from Egyptian ḏḥwtj-ms, G26-ms-s

A male name used in Ancient Egypt, notably borne by Thutmose III, a pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty


doongerwadi

tower of silence
tower of silence#English

(Zoroastrianism) Synonym of tower of silence


Persephatta

From Ancient Greek Περσεφάττα (Persephátta).

(Greek mythology) Alternative form of Persephone


Persephassa

From Ancient Greek Περσεφάσσα (Persephássa).


Philoctetean

en-adj

Philoctetean (comparative more Philoctetean, superlative most Philoctetean)

more Philoctetean (comparative)
most Philoctetean (superlative)

(Greek mythology) Of or relating to Philoctetes (Ancient Greek: Φιλοκτήτης), a famed archer who participated in the Trojan War.


Arethuse

(Greek mythology) Alternative form of Arethusa


Minyas

(Greek mythology) The founder of Orchomenus, Boeotia, and ancestor of the Minyans.


Medusan

Medusan (comparative more Medusan, superlative most Medusan)

more Medusan (comparative)
most Medusan (superlative)

(Greek mythology) Of or relating to Medusa.


telesterion

From Ancient Greek τελεστήριον (telestḗrion, “initiation hall”), from τελείω (teleíō, “to initiate”).

bor

Central among them is what, to avoid controversy, it is convenient to call the telesterion: a building designed to accommodate the faithful inside, and thus unique among the forms of Greek sacred architecture.

2005, Robert Parker, Polytheism and Society at Athens, Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 351:

With each successive telesterion, the structure grew in size and capacity, an expansion that indicates the growing and continued popularity of the cult […]

2016, Margaret M. Miles, A Companion to Greek Architecture, John Wiley & Sons, →ISBN, page 183:

A building used to celebrate sacred rites in Ancient Greece.


Telephus

From Ancient Greek Τήλεφος (Tḗlephos, literally “far-shining”).

(Greek mythology) The son of Heracles and Auge; he was adopted by Teuthras, the king of Mysia, in Asia Minor, whom he succeeded as king, and was both wounded and later healed by Achilles.


Attis

A Greek and Phrygian god, the consort of Cybele.


Thamyris

(Greek mythology) A Thracian singer who challenged the Nine Muses to a competition and lost.


Thamyras

(Greek mythology) Alternative form of Thamyris


tridrachma

An Ancient Greek silver coin worth three drachmas.


Tritogeneia

(Greek mythology) An epithet of the goddess Athena, of uncertain meaning, but possibly "Triton-born", "triple-born", or "third-born".


Tritonia

(Greek mythology) An epithet of the goddess Athena.


Hyperborean

Alternative letter-case form of hyperborean


Zethus

(Greek mythology) The husband of the nymph Thebe


Archegetes

(Greek mythology) Leader or founder; an epithet of the god Apollo.


Gorgoneion

From Ancient Greek γοργόνειον (gorgóneion), neuter of γοργόνειος (gorgóneios, “pertaining to a gorgon”).
The moon was named after the pendant, because of its association with the Greek goddess Athena (and thus with her Roman equivalent, Minerva).

2000, Extract from [1840, Lewis, Donaldson (translators)], K. O. Müller, Introduction to A Scientific Study of Mythology, Burton Feldman, Robert D. Richardson (editors), The Rise of Modern Mythology, 1680-1860, Indiana University Press, page 419,
On returning home, he turns Polydectes and his people to stone, and then gives the Gorgoneion to his protectress Athena, who fixes it upon her shield.

(Greek mythology) The head of the gorgon Medusa.

(Greek mythology) A pendant, worn by the goddess Athena, which features an image of Medusa's head.


tribune of the plebs

en-noun

tribune of the plebs (plural tribunes of the plebs)

(Ancient Rome) The first office of the Roman state that was open to the plebeians, with the power to convene and preside over the Concilium Plebis (people's assembly); to summon the senate; to propose legislation; to intervene on behalf of plebeians in legal matters and to veto the actions of the consuls and other magistrates.


Chrysaor

Borrowed from Ancient Greek Χρυσάωρ (Khrusáōr).

Pegasus alone issues from the neck of the winged and decapitated Medusa,ᵇ or Chrysaor and Pegasus at the same moment.ᶜ

1855, Archaeologia, or Miscellaneous Tracts Relating to Antiquity, Volume 36, Society of Antiquaries of London, page 59:

Medusa embraces a winged horse and a youth who have been identified as her sons, Pegasus and Chrysaor. This interpretation is problematic because it involves a temporal impossibility:⁷⁶ the inversion of time sequence. The myth, which is as early as Hesiod (Theogony, 270–82), states clearly that Pegasus was born after Medusa was decapitated.

2002, Nannó Marinatos, The Goddess and the Warrior, Taylor & Francis (Routledge), page 65:

An innovation comes with Chrysaor, an enigmatic figure who appears in myth in multiple forms: the most famous is the offspring of Medusa and the progenitor of various monsters, including Geryon,³⁴ making Chrysaor hardly a heroic figure.

2010, Lee E. Patterson, Kinship Myth in Ancient Greece, University of Texas Press, page 120:

(Greek mythology) A son of Poseidon and Medusa and brother of the winged horse Pegasus, often depicted as a young man, who sprang along with Pegasus from the blood of the decapitated Medusa.


Philomel

Above the antique mantel was displayed / As though a window gave upon the sylvan scene / The change of Philomel, by the barbarous king / So rudely forced; […]

1922 October, T[homas] S[tearns] Eliot, “Part II. A Game of Chess.”, in The Waste Land, 1st book edition, New York, N.Y.: Boni and Liveright, published December 1922, →OCLC, page 19:

(Greek mythology) Alternative form of Philomela


Calydonian Boar

(Greek mythology) A giant boar, who was sent by the goddess Artemis to ravage the area of Calydon.


Calydonian Hunt

(Greek mythology) The Calydonian boar hunt: the process of hunting the Calydonian Boar.


Four Hundred

(Ancient Greece) A short-lived oligarchy that replaced the democratic government of ancient Athens following the Athenian coup of 411 BCE.


wilamowitzianus

Named after the German classicist Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff.

(poetry, Ancient Rome) a meter consisting of two choriambs, used in Attic tragedy and in Roman comedy, used by Plautus and Terence.

Metres of Roman comedy#Wilamowitzianus
Ulrich von Wilamowitz-Moellendorff


Bouphonia

The annual sacrifice of an ox and mock trial of the slaughterer at the ancient Athenian Dipolieia.


Necessitas

(Roman mythology, Orphic theology) The personification of absolute necessity; Ananke.


Greek chorus

(Ancient Greece, historical) Synonym of chorus (“a group of singers and dancers in a theatrical performance or religious festival who commented on the main performance in speech or song”)


Despoina

(Greek mythology) the daughter of Demeter and Poseidon


mammisi

Borrowed from French mammisi, a neologism coined by Jean-François Champollion as if from Bohairic Coptic *ⲙⲁⲙ̀ⲙⲓⲥⲓ (*mam̀misi) (a term otherwise unattested), from ⲙⲁ (ma, “place”) + ⲛ̀- (ǹ-, “of”) + ⲙⲓⲥⲓ (misi, “birth”) as a calque of earlier Egyptian pr-ms (“mammisi”, literally “house of birth”).

der

(Egyptology) a subsidiary chapel in Ancient Egypt attached to a larger temple and associated with the nativity of a god


cinaedism

(Ancient Rome) Sexual passivity in a man.


menologium

en-noun

menologium (plural menologiums or menologia)

From Medieval Latin mēnologium, from Ancient and Byzantine Greek μηνολόγιον (mēnológion), from μήν (mḗn, “month”) + λόγιον (lógion, “writing, record, announcement”), itself from λόγος (lógos, “writing, recording”). Doublet of menologion, menologe, and menology.

ménologe

a monthly list of information, particularly in Christian contexts

menology

chiefly Mesopotamian contexts or inexact

(historical) Synonym of menologem, a stylized date acting as a signature on some documents of the Byzantine Empire.


menologion

en-noun

menologion (plural menologions or menologia)

From Byzantine Greek μηνολόγιον (mēnológion), from Ancient Greek μήν (mḗn, “month”) + -ο- (-o-, “-o-”) + λόγιον (lógion, “writing, record, announcement”), from λόγος (lógos, “writing, recording”) + -ιον (-ion, “-ion: forming related nouns”). Doublet of menologe, menologium, and menology. See horologion.

doublet

In order to make a preliminary study of the text of the menologion on the basis of evidence from the MSS accessible, the area of greatest uniformity was sought.

1936, Morgan Ward Redus, The Text of the Major Festivals on the Menologion in the Greek Gospel Lectionary, Studies in the Lectionary Text of the Greek New Testiment, Vol. II, No. 2

Synonym of menologium, particularly in Greek, Byzantine, and Eastern Orthodox contexts.


Menologion

The Menologion of Basil II is an important work for understanding the medieval Byzantine church.

Synonym of Menologium, particularly in Byzantine, Greek, and Eastern Orthodox contexts.


menologem

en-noun

menologem (plural menologems or menologema)

From Byzantine Greek μηνολόγημα (mēnológēma).

The first attested use of a menologem was under Constantine IV (r. 668–685).

(historical) A stylized date used for certain documents of the Byzantine Empire.


Nessus shirt

In Greek mythology, a shirt (chiton) soaked with the poisoned blood of the centaur Nessus that killed Heracles upon wearing it.

No wonder then that, with this age-long suppression (necessary in a sense though it may have been) which marks the Christian dispensation, there should have been associated endless Sickness and Crime and sordid Poverty, the Crucifixion of animals in the name of Science and of human workers in the name of Wealth, and wars and horrors innumerable! Hercules writhing in the Nessus-shirt or Prometheus nailed to the rocks are only as figures of a toy miniature compared with this vision of the great and divine Spirit of Man caught in the clutches of those dread Diseases which through the centuries have been eating into his very heart and vitals.

1920, Edward Carpenter, Pagan and Christian Creeds, New York: Harcourt, Brace and Co., published 1921, page 189:

(figuratively) A fatal present or inescapable fate.


red figure

Coordinate term: black figure

red-figure pottery

red-figure vase painting

red-figure vase

(Ancient Greece) Figural depiction in red color on a black background.


black figure

Coordinate term: red figure

black-figure pottery

black-figure vase painting

black-figure vase

(Ancient Greece) Figural depiction in black color on a red background.


choachyte

From Ancient Greek χοαχύτης (khoakhútēs), from χοή (khoḗ, “libation to the dead”) + χέω (khéō, “to pour”), a calque of Egyptian wꜣḥ mw (literally “water-pourer”), from the participle of wꜣḥ (“to apply”) + mw (“water”).

der

an Ancient Egyptian mortuary priest responsible for pouring libations as well as providing mortuary rituals and offerings at the tombs of the dead


Marpesia

From Ancient Greek Μαρπησία (Marpēsía, literally “snatcher”).

bor

(Greek mythology) The queen of the Amazons, who ruled with her sister Lampedo, and helped to establish the Greek city of Ephesus.


maenadism

(Greek mythology) The frenzied state of a female follower of Dionysus.


spondist

Calque of Egyptian sqbb (“libator”), participle of sqbb (“to cool, to libate with water”), by way of Ancient Greek σπονδή (spondḗ, “libation”) suffixed with -ist.

der

Spondists in the temple of Nebt-Hotep;

1855, Dunbar Isidore Heath, The Exodus Papyri, London : J.W. Parker, page 175:

I am the priest in Tattuo, the spondist of Abydos, growing tall among the tall. I am the priest in Abydos, the day of calling the world. I see the hidden places of the Rusta. I am the maker of the Festivals of the Spirit Lord of Tattu.

1867, Egypt's Place in Universal History: an Historical Investigation in Five Books Christian C. J. Bunsen: Vol. 5, page 162:

DSJOT-MEN. A spondist of the temple of Amen. Period uncertain. DSJOT-MONTH. A spondist of Amen, and prophet and overseer of the sacred scribes of the god. Period uncertain.

1876, William Ricketts Cooper, An Archaic Dictionary: Biographical, Historical, and Mythological: From the Egyptian, Assyrian, and Etruscan Monuments and Papyri, page 177:

"you who are in the service of Osiris or of Anubis," "priest, prophet, scribe, spondist, ministrant, male or female, every man and every woman passing by this tomb, statue, tablet or shrine, whether you be passing northwards or southwards as you desire to enjoy the favour of the king […]"

(archaic, Egyptology) An Ancient Egyptian priest responsible for pouring libations of water.


Thaumas

(Greek mythology) A sea god, son of Pontus and Gaia


Boethius

Anicius Manlius Severinus Boethius (480–524 C.E.), Roman historian and philosopher from the Early Middle Ages.


Teumessian fox

[…]there is a place called Teumessus, where they say Europa was concealed by Jupiter. It is likewise said of the Teumessian fox, that it was nourished by Bacchus for the purpose of destroying the Thebans; aod that when it was on the point of being taken by that dog which Diana gave to Procris the daughter of Erechtheus, both the dog and the fox were changed into stones.

1824, Pausanias, The Description of Greece, →OCLC:

When Amphitryon came to Thebes he found that another curse had descended on that unlucky city. For the Teumessian Fox, which was as large and savage as a wolf, had been sent by Dionysus to plague the land, catching children and carrying them away to its lair, as a punishment for the things he had suffered in Thebes.

1961, Green, Roger Lancelyn, Heroes of Greece and Troy, retold from the ancient authors, →OCLC:

One Greek myth has it that Laelaps and the Teumessian Fox were cast into space where they formed the two constellations, Canis Major and Minor.

2015, Hankins, Justine, author, Dogopedia : a compendium of canine curiosities:

(Greek mythology) A giant fox destined to never be caught.


parahaoma

(Zoroastrianism) The juice of the haoma plant.


Polyclitus

Learned borrowing from Latin Polyclītus, from Ancient Greek Πολῠ́κλειτος (Polŭ́kleitos).

bor

Πολῠ́κλειτος

A male given name from Latin Polyclītus [in turn from Ancient Greek Πολύκλειτος (Polúkleitos, “far-famed, greatly renowned”)]

A male given name of historical usage, notably borne by Polyclitus the Elder, 5th century BCE Ancient Greek sculptor and artist from Argos or Sicyon

A male given name of historical usage, notably borne by Polyclitus the Younger, 4th century BCE Ancient Greek architect


Polycletus

Learned borrowing from Latin Polyclētus, from Ancient Greek Πολῠ́κλειτος (Polŭ́kleitos).

Πολῠ́κλειτος

Alternative form of Polyclitus, a male given name from Latin Polyclētus [in turn from Ancient Greek Πολύκλειτος (Polúkleitos, “far-famed, greatly renowned”)]


vicennals

From Latin vīcennālia, from vīcennis (“20-year”) + -ālia (“-alia: forming festival names”), from vīciēs (“twenty times”) + annus (“year”) + -is (“forming compound adjectives”).

(historical, rare) Synonym of vicennalia: the festival and religious ritual held on the 20th anniversary of a Roman emperor's reign.


vicennalia

en-noun

vicennalia (plural vicennalia or vicennalias)

vicennalia (plural)
vicennalias (plural)

From Latin vīcennālia, from vīcennium (“20-year period”) + -ālia (“-alia: forming the names of festivals”), from vicennis (“20-year”) + -ium (“forming abstract nouns”), from vīciēs (“twenty each”) + annus (“year”) + -is (“forming compound adjectives”). Equivalent to vicennium + -alia.

Apart from the Vicennalia, 136 was an eventful year for the imperial family: the serious illness of Hadrian in the spring, the adoption of Aelius in the summer and the death and consecration of Sabina at the end of the year.

1971, P.V. Hill, "The Dating and Arrangement of Hadrian's COS III", Mints, Dies and Currency, p. 52

The exact timing of the tenth and twentieth anniversaries, the decennalia and the vicennalia, has already been discussed at length. The most straightforward solution, that it took place on the emperor's dies imperii ten years after the accession, has its adherents. However, a date earlier in the year, perhaps even the day of the beginning of the tenth year, may also be considered—at least in the second century AD.

2005, Jakob Munk Højte, Roman Imperial Statue Bases from Augustus to Commodus, p. 157

As a chronological list of Roman emperors makes clear, several rulers reign long enough to enjoy their decennalia, but relatively few were fortunate enough to celebrate their vicennalia, their twentieth imperial anniversary; and from the second century onwards Constantine alone ruled long enough to celebrate a tricennalia.

2012, Gary Forsythe, "Magna Mater and the Taurobolium", Time in Roman Religion, p. 111

(historical) The festival and religious rituals celebrating a Roman emperor's 20th year of rule.


decennalia

decennalia (plural decennalia or decennalias)

decennalia (plural)
decennalias (plural)

From Latin decennālia, from decennium (“10-year period”) + -ālia (“-alia: forming the names of festivals”), from decennis (“10-year”) + -ium (“-ium: forming abstract nouns”). Equivalent to decennium + -alia.

Seven pieces celebrate the Decennalia of Arcadius, which were due on Jan. 15, 393.

1915, Arthur Evans, "Notes on the Coinage and Silver Currency in Roman Britain from Valentinian I to Constantine III", Numismatic Chronicle..., 4th Ser., Vol. 15, p. 436

(historical) The festival and religious rituals celebrating a Roman emperor's 10th year of rule.

Antoninus Pius
Julian the Apostate
decennalia


tricennalia

tricennalia (plural tricennalia or tricennalias)

tricennalia (plural)
tricennalias (plural)

From Latin trīcennālia, from trīcennium (“30-year period”) + -ālia (“-alia: forming the names of festivals”), from trīcennis (“30-year”) + -ium (“forming abstract nouns”), from trīciēs (“thirty each”) + annus (“year”) + -is (“forming compound adjectives”). Equivalent to tricennium + -alia.

In 336, the city was ready. Constantine the Great could celebrate his Tricennalia, his thirty-year jubilee, in his new capital. One year later, he was baptised and died.

2008, Jona Lendering, “Constantine's City”, in Livius:

(historical) The festival and religious rituals celebrating a Roman emperor's 30th year of rule.


quindecennalia

quindecennalia (plural quindecennalia or quindecennalias)

quindecennalia (plural)
quindecennalias (plural)

From Latin quīndecennālia, from quīndecennium (“15-year period”) + -ālia (“-alia: forming the names of festivals”), from quīndecennis (“15-year”) + -ium (“-ium: forming abstract nouns”). Equivalent to quin- + decennalia, quindec + ennalia, or quindecennium + -alia.

There is evidence, that the quindecennalia, of fifteenth anniversary of Trajan's proconsular authority, and of his adoption to the empire, was celebrated in 111, or the year after Pliny's arrival in Bithynia.

1837, Edward Burton, Lectures upon the Ecclesiastical History of the First Three Centuries..., Vol. II, "Lecture XIV", p. 40

There is good literary evidence for Honorius' tricennalia in 422, which is at the end of perfect quinquennial sequence from 393, as well as consular vot xxx mvlt xxx solidi, though there do not appear to be any vota coins marking his quindecennalia or quinta quinquennalia.

1988, Richard W. Burgess, “Quinquennial Vota and the Imperial Consulship in the Fourth and Fifth Centuries, 337-511”, in Numismatic Chronicle, number 148, page 85:

On 1 January 112... the year opened with a series of celebrations to mark the quindecennalia of the emperor's ascension.

1997, Julian Bennett, Trajan Optimus Princeps: A Life and Times, page 186:

(historical) The festival and religious rituals sometimes observed celebrating a Roman emperor's 15th year of rule.


penis-cover

(anthropology, Egyptology, very rare) A covering or concealment of the penis found on certain statues in Ancient Egypt.


Nereus

Borrowed from Ancient Greek Νηρεύς (Nēreús).

bor+

(Greek mythology) The eldest son of Pontus (the sea) and Gaia (the earth).


New Empire

(archaic, historical, Egyptology) Synonym of New Kingdom


Nicander

Borrowed from Latin Nicander, itself a borrowing from Ancient Greek Νίκανδρος (Níkandros). Cognate with French Nicandre.

(Greek mythology) According to Herodotus, one of the three Peleiades.


Set animal

An unidentified mammal, perhaps a canid, identified by the Ancient Egyptians with the god Set and used (often anthropomorphized) in their depictions of him.


Typhonian animal

en-noun

Typhonian animal (plural Typhonian animals)


Agios Theologos

From the modern Greek transcription of Byzantine Greek Ἅγιος Θεολόγος (Hágios Theológos, “the Holy Theologian”), from its 6th-century basilica dedicated to St John the Theologian, supposed author of the Book of Revelation. Doublet of Ayasoluk.

der

Ἅγιος Θεολόγος

(historical) Former name of Selcuk, a town in Turkey near the ruins of ancient Ephesus.

Hagios Théologos

Selcuk under the Byzantine Empire — see also Ephesus, Ayasoluk, Selcuk


Ninurta

Ultimately from Sumerian 𒀭𒊩𒌆𒅁 (ᵈNIN.URTA)

A Mesopotamian god associated with agriculture and war


Curitis

(Roman mythology) An epithet of the goddess Juno.


Resheph

Ultimately from Eblaite 𒀭𒊏𒊓𒀊 (ra-sa-ap). Cognate with Ugaritic 𐎗𐎌𐎔 (ršp), Egyptian ršpw, and Hebrew רֶשֶׁף

A god associated with plague, featured in Eblaite, Ugaritic, and Egyptian myth


Keftian

We see such gold ox-heads figured both in the inventories on the clay tablets at Knossos and on the Tomb of Rekhmara, as part of the tribute brought by the Keftians, the men of the isles in the midst of the sea, to the Egypt of the early fifteenth century.

1907, Ronald M. Burrows, The Discoveries In Crete, page 15:

(Egyptology) A member of an unidentified ancient people of the Mediterranean, sometimes linked with the Minoans, known from their interactions with the Ancient Egyptians.


Alastor

(Greek mythology) Any of several characters in Greek mythology, variously spirit, human, a horse of the underworld.


Roman charity

en-noun

Roman charity (countable and uncountable, plural Roman charities)

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Roman charity.wav

(Greek mythology, Roman mythology) A story where someone is sentenced to die by starvation; but their daughter saves them by secretly breastfeeding them.

Cimon and Pero (Rubens)
Peter Paul Rubens


Vagitanus

(Roman mythology) A male deity involved with childbirth.


Horomazes

/hɒ.ɹəʊˈmɑːzɪs/

From Ancient Greek Ὡρομάζης (Hōromázēs), though Latin Hōromazēs, ultimately from Avestan 𐬀𐬵𐬎𐬭𐬀 𐬨𐬀𐬰𐬛𐬁 (ahura mazdā).

(Zoroastrianism) Ahura Mazda, the divinity exalted by Zoroaster as the highest God.


Gabinian

Cicero appears to have been of this opinion, as we find him in his dialogue on friendship, objecting to the Gabinian law, by which ballot was enacted in lieu of oral voting, on the ground that the populace would gain the ascendancy in elections; a degree of freedom to which he was averse.

1824, An Englishman [Isaac Candler], “The Government” (chapter XXVI), in A Summary View of America: Comprising a Description of the Face of the Country, and of Several of the Principal Cities […], London: Printed for T. Cadell […] and W. Blackwood […], pages 388–389:

tribune of the plebs
tribune of the plebs

(Ancient Rome) Of or pertaining to the gens Gabinia, a plebeian family of Ancient Rome.

Of or pertaining to Aulus Gabinius, tribune of the plebs in 139 BCE, who introduced a law in 139 BCE that permitted voting by ballot.

Josephus says nothing of Samareitis, but the Samaritans had a council in the first century A.D., which was probably a survival of a Gabinian council: it probably sat at Shechem.

1971, A. H. M. Jones, “Syria” (chapter X), in The Cities of the Eastern Roman Provinces, 2nd edition, Oxford: Clarendon Press, page 258:

Of or pertaining to Aulus Gabinius, consul in 58 BCE, who introduced a law in 67 BCE that granted Pompey an extraordinary command in the war against the pirates.


Suchus

From Latin Sūchus, from Ancient Greek Σοῦχος (Soûkhos), ultimately from Egyptian s-b-k:I3 (sbk). Doublet of Sobek.

der

<i class="Latn mention" lang="egy">sbk</i>

(Egyptian mythology) Synonym of Sobek (“An ancient Egyptian deity associated with the crocodile.”)


Buto

Borrowed from Ancient Greek Βουτώ (Boutṓ), from Egyptian wAD-t-I12 (wꜣḏt (literally “green one”)), an allusion to the skin of the cobra. Doublet of Wadjet.

der

<i class="Latn mention" lang="egy">wꜣḏt</i> (literally “green one”)


calasiris

From Ancient Greek καλάσιρις (kalásiris), likely from an unclear Egyptian source.

long Egyptian garment, with tassels or fringe at the bottom


shendyt

By contrast, the shendyt kilt is well attested on Egyptian sculptures of all periods. It was originally used only in royal representations but, from the Old Kingdom, its use extended to private statues.

2021 July 19, Giorgia Cafici, The Egyptian Elite as Roman Citizens: Looking at Ptolemaic Private Portraiture, BRILL, →ISBN, page 87:

The shendyt is thought to be derivative of an early hunting skirt that allowed freedom of movement, yet its method of draping has not been satisfactorily explained.

1989, Eleni Vassilika, Ptolemaic Philae, Peeters Publishers, →ISBN, page 96:

a type of loincloth worn in Ancient Egypt


Helenean

en-adj

Helenean (comparative more Helenean, superlative most Helenean)

more Helenean (comparative)
most Helenean (superlative)

They hasten youth / Into maturer womanhood; they give / A brighter lustre to the beaming eye, / Fairer proportions to the moulded form / Of Helenéan beauty, and impart / A deeper current to the fervent stream / Of the unsealed affections.

1841, Pliny Earle, “Angelina”, in Marathon, and Other Poems, Philadelphia: Henry Perkins, page 76:

(Greek mythology) Of or relating to Helen, the daughter of Zeus and Leda.


Selenian

(Greek mythology) Of or relating to the god Selene in Greek mythology.


Massilian

(historical) A native or inhabitant of Massilia. (ancient Marseille)


Massilian

(historical) Of, from or relating to Massilia. (ancient Marseille)


Hermionean

(Greek mythology) Of or relating to Hermione of Greek mythology.


tabula lusoria

(Ancient Rome) A table used as a gameboard.


supplicia canum

An Ancient Roman holiday in which dogs were slaughtered and paraded through the streets.


oipe

Borrowed from Sahidic Coptic ⲟⲉⲓⲡⲉ (oeipe), ⲟⲓⲡⲉ (oipe), from Demotic jpy.t, from Egyptian jpt. Doublet of ephah.

bor+

(historical) An Ancient Egyptian dry measure of volume equivalent to 4 heqats (about 19.2 litres or 0.54 bushels).


xrafstar

There are three kinds of xrafstars corresponding to three categories of animals: those that live in water, those that live on earth, and those that live in the air.

GBd 22 gives details of certain xrafstars, such as the silkworm and the honeybee, which 'Ohrmazd through omniscience diverts to the benefit of creatures' (my translation), just as he also makes the noxious creatures attack and kill their own species (GBd 22.29).

2015, Michael Stausberg, Yuhan Sohrab-Dinshaw Vevaina, The Wiley Blackwell Companion to Zoroastrianism (page 352)

(Zoroastrianism) Any animal considered harmful or repulsive, and not to be sacrificed or eaten.


Telegonus

From Ancient Greek Τηλέγονος (Tēlégonos)

(Greek mythology) the son of Circe and Odysseus.


Xwedodah

consanguine marriage
consanguine marriage

(Zoroastrianism, historical) A type of consanguine marriage practiced before the Muslim conquest of Persia.


Knielauf

(historical, art) A schema for the depiction of rapid movement found particularly in Archaic Greek and Etruscan art, in which one knee is depicted as being bent to the point of nearly touching the ground.


Aiaia

(Greek mythology) Archaic form of Aeaea.


Heliades

(Greek mythology) The daughters of Helios and Clymene.


Cylonian

Anyhow it is chronologically impossible that the Archippus of this letter is the same as the Pythagorean who together with Lysis survived the Cylonian slaughter.

1971, G[erhard] J[ean] D[aniël] Aalders, “Political Thought and Political Programs in the Platonic Epistles”, in Pseudepigrapha I: Pseudopythagorica — Lettres de Platon, Littérature pseudépigraphique juive, Vandœuvres-Genève: Fondation Hardt, published 1972, →OCLC, page 171:

ca. 500 (?) Cylonian rebellion against Pythagoras (proceeding from the Crotonian upper class) ➛ Pythagoras’ emigration to Metapontum

2005, Christoph Riedweg, translated by Steven Rendall, Christoph Riedweg, and Andreas Schatzmann, “Fifth century b.c.e.”, in Pythagoras: His Life, Teaching, and Influence, Ithaca, N.Y.: Cornell University Press, →ISBN, “Chronology” section, page 136:

Our first evidence concerns the dramatic episode in Pythagoras’ life when he left Croton because of the Cylonian revolt.

2016, Leonid Zhmud, “The Papyrological Tradition on Pythagoras and the Pythagoreans”, in Christian Vassallo, editor, Presocratics and Papyrological Tradition: A Philosophical Reappraisal of the Sources; Proceedings of the International Workshop Held at the University of Trier (22–24 September 2016), Berlin: De Gruyter, published 2019, →ISBN, part II (Pythagoreanism and Beyond), page 117:

Of or relating to Cylon of Croton, a leading citizen of Croton who led a revolt against the Pythagoreans, probably around 509 BCE.


Cylonian

But I meane not hereupon to ſtand, nor to diſcourfe at large, but to let paſſe what vanity there was in him, to compare the accidents which befell to ſome good and vertuous perſons, as for example, the condemnation of Socrates, the burning of Pythagoras quicke by the Cylonians, […]

1603, Plutarch, “The Contradictions of Stoicke Philosophers”, in Philemon Holland, transl., The Philosophie, Commonlie Called, The Morals […], London: […] Arnold Hatfield, →OCLC, page 1075, lines 46–49:

When the colledges and companies of the Pythagorian Philoſophers that were diſperſed through the cities of Italie, were baniſhed by the faction of the Cylonians: […]

1603, Thomas North, transl., “The Life of Epaminondas”, in The Liues of Epaminondas, of Philip of Macedon, of Dionysius the Elder, and of Octavius Cæsar Augustus: Collected out of Good Authors. […] (The Liues of the Noble Grecians and Romaines, […]), London: […] Richard Field, →OCLC, page 2:

In Crotona, as it appears, the partisans of Pythagoras and the “Cylonians” were, for a long time after the death of Pythagoras, living in opposition as political parties, till at length, about a century later, the Pythagoreans were surprised by their opponents while engaged in a deliberation in the “house of Milo” (who himself had died long before), and, the house being set on fire and surrounded, all perished, with the exception of Archippus and Lysis of Tarentum.

1872, Friedrich Ueberweg, translated by Geo[rge] S[ylvester] Morris, “Pythagoras of Samos and the Pythagoreans”, in History of Philosophy, from Thales to the Present Time. […] (Theological and Philosophical Library: […]), volume I (History of the Ancient and Mediæval Philosophy), New York, N.Y.: Scribner, Armstrong & Co., […], part I (The Philosophy of Antiquity), “First Period of Greek Philosophy” section, “Second Division: Pythagoreanism” subsection, page 46:

“Cylonians” were the followers of the mighty Cylon of Croton who, in 490 B.C., chased Pythagoras out of Croton to Metapontum where he later died.

1997, Clifford A[lan] Pickover, “Notes”, in The Loom of God: Mathematical Tapestries at the Edge of Time, New York, N.Y.: Plenum Trade, →ISBN, page 271:

The same is true in the case of the list of the survived disciples: Lysis and Archippus are indeed known to escape the peril (Aristoxenus apud Iamb. VP 249-251 [fr. 18 Wehrli]), while already in Herodotus (4.95) Zamolxis (Zalmoxis) is reported to be a personal servant of Pythagoras, who is known, being freed, to leave his master and, upon returning back to his homeland, to spread the Pythagorean wisdom among the Thracians. In a sense, he had also escaped from the hands of the Cylonians, which may explain the confusion.

2018 March 11, Eugene Afonasin, Anna Afonasina, “Pythagoras Traveling East: An Image of a Sage in Late Antiquity”, in Archai: On the Origins of Western Thought, number 27, Brasília: University of Brasília, published 2019 September 1, →DOI, →ISSN, →OCLC:

A follower of Cylon of Croton, a leading citizen of Croton who led a revolt against the Pythagoreans, probably around 509 BCE.


Oizys

Borrowed from Ancient Greek Ὀϊζύς (Oïzús).

1987, Richard S. Caldwell (translator), Hesiod, Theogony, Hackett Publishing Company (Focus), page 40,
Next Momos and painful Oizys were born to the dark goddess Nyx, though she lay with no one,

(Greek mythology) The (female) personification of pain and distress; said by Hesiod is his Theogony to be the offspring of Nyx (Night) and produced without the assistance of a father; identified with the Roman Miseria (Misery).


Rhoeo

(Greek mythology) A lover of Apollo and mother of Anius, king of Delos and priest of Apollo.


Mene

Borrowed from Ancient Greek Μήνη (Mḗnē).

(Greek mythology) A goddess of the Moon, specifically presiding over the months, sometimes regarded as an epithet of Selene.


priestess of Venus

en-noun

priestess of Venus (plural priestesses of Venus)

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see priestess, of, Venus.