Philothea Part 27

_Prytaneum_--The Town House.

_Deigma_--A place in the Piraeus, corresponding to the modern Exchange.

_Clepsydra_--A Water-dial.

_Cotylae_--A measure. Some writers say one third of a quart; others much less.

_Arytana_--A small cup.

_Arabyllus_--A vase, wide at bottom and narrow at top.

_Archons_--Chief Magistrates of Athens.

_Prytanes_--Magistrates who presided over the Senate.

_Phylarchi_--Sheriffs.

_Epistates_--Chairman, or speaker.

_Hippodrome_--The Horse-course.

_Stadium_--Thirty-six and a half rods.

_Obulus_, (plural _Oboli_)--A small coin, about the value of a penny.

_Drachma_, (plural _Drachmae_)--About ten-pence sterling.

_Mina_, (plural _Minae_)--Four pounds, three s.h.i.+llings, four pence.

_Stater_--A gold coin; estimated at about twelve s.h.i.+llings, three pence.

_Daric_--A Persian gold coin, valued one pound, twelve s.h.i.+llings, three pence.

(All the above coins are estimated very differently by different writers.)

"The midnight procession of the Panathenaea." p. 11.

This festival in honour of Pallas was observed early in the summer, every fifth year, with great pomp.

"The Sacred Peplus." p. 12.

This was a white garment consecrated to Pallas, on which the actions of ill.u.s.trious men were represented in golden embroidery.

"Festival of Torches." p. 15.

In honour of Prometheus. The prize was bestowed on him who ran the course without extinguis.h.i.+ng his torch.

"Six months of seclusion within the walls of the Acropolis, were required of the Canephorae." p. 22.

Maidens of the first families were selected to embroider the sacred peplus. The two princ.i.p.al ones were called Canephorae, because they carried baskets in the Panathenaic procession.

"Fountain of Byblis." p. 33.

This name was derived from a young Ionian, pa.s.sionately fond of her brother Caunus, for whom she wept till she was changed into a fountain, near Miletus.

"During the festivities of the Dionysia." p. 42.

This festival, in honour of Dionysus, was observed with great splendour.

Choragic games are supposed to have been celebrated; in which prizes were given to the successful compet.i.tors in music, and the drama.

"The tuneful soul of Marsyas." p. 43.

Marsyas was a celebrated musician of Phrygia, generally considered the inventor of the flute.

"Contest between fighting quails." p. 43.

In Athens, quails were pitched against each other, in the same manner as game-c.o.c.ks among the moderns.

"Pericles withdrew a rose from the garland." p. 44.

This flower was sacred to Silence. The ancients often suspended it above the table at feasts, to signify that what was said _sub rosa_ was not to be repeated.

"A life-time as long as that conferred upon the namesake of t.i.thonus."

p. 46.

It is related of him, that he asked and obtained the gift of immortality in this world; but unfortunately forgot to ask for youth and vigour.

"Eleusinian Mysteries." p. 47.

Ceremonies at Eleusis, in honour of Demeter, observed with great secrecy. Those who were initiated were supposed to be peculiarly under the protection of the G.o.ds.

"Model for the sloping roof of the Odeum." p. 54.

Pericles was usually represented with a helmet, to cover the deformity in his skull. It was jestingly said that the model for the Odeum was from his own head.