Academy

Greek and Roman Antiquities

Paean strictly a hymn relating to relief from plagues and sickness, but extended also so as to r
Paedagogus a slave, to whose care in an Athenian family the sons of the house were committed when the
Paedonomus was a magistrate at Sparta (and in some other Doric states) who had the general superinten
Paenula [An inscription (Gruter, 646, 5), GN. COSSVTIVS PAENVLARIVS, shows that this is the correc
Pagus a canton. The meaning of this word cannot be given in precise and absolute terms, partly b
Pala a spade. The spade was comparatively little used in ancient husbandry, the implements used
Palaestra . The upshot of a controversy which lasted for many years as to the difference between a π
Palla The palla and its Greek counterpart, the πέπλος, were identical in shape with the pallium
Pallium At all periods of Greek life the characteristic outdoor garment, both of men and women, wa
Palmipes i.e. pes et palmus, a Roman measure of length, equal to a foot and a palm; or a foot and a
Palmus properly the width of the open hand, or, more exactly, of the four fingers, was used by th
Paludamentum The root of this word and its cognate adjective is undoubtedly that contained in pallium a
Palus a pole or stake, was used in the military exercises of the Romans. It was stuck into the g
Pamboeotia a festive panegyris of all the Boeotians, which the grammarians compare with the Panathena
Panathenaea was a very ancient festival in honour of Athena Polias and Erechtheus (A. Mommsen, Heortol
Pancratium is composed of πᾶν and κράτος, and accordingly signifies an athletic game, in which all th
Pandectae or DIGESTA. Justinian, having determined at the beginning of his reign to reduce the entir
Pandia a festival celebrated at Athens after the Dionysia, in the middle of the month Elaphebolio
Panegyris signifies a meeting or assembly of a whole people at fixed periods, varying in the differe
Panhellenia a festival, or perhaps rather a panegyris of all the Greeks, which seems to have been inst
Panionia the great national panegyris of the Ionians on Mount Mycale, near Priene and between Ephes
Pantomimus was the performer in that kind of dramatic piece in which a story was represented by mere
Par impar ludere impar ludere (ἀρτιασμός, ἀρτιάζειν, ἄρτια ἢ περιττὰ or ζυγὰ ἢ ἄζυγα or ζυγὰ μόνα παίζειν,
Parabolon a fee paid by the appellant party, on an appeal (ἔφεσις), as Pollux (8.62 f.) states, from
Paracatabole a sum of money required of a plaintiff or petitioner in certain cases, as a security that
Paracatathece generally signifies a deposit of something valuable with a friend or other person, for the
Paradisus was the name given by the Greeks to the parks or pleasuregrounds which surrounded the coun
Paragraphe . This word does not exactly correspond with any term in our language, but may without muc
Paranoias dike dike (παρανοίας δίκη). This proceeding may be compared to our commission of lunacy, or wri
Paranomon graphe graphe (παρανόμων γραφή). An indictment instituted against a person who had proposed or ca
Parapresbeia signifies any corrupt conduct, misfeasance, or neglect of duty on the part of an ambassado
Parasanga . According to Herodotus, the parasang was the name given by the Persians to a distance of
Parasiti properly denotes those who dine with, or beside, others: of whose position Athenaeus (vi.
Parastasis a fee of one drachm paid to an arbitrator by the plaintiff, on bringing his cause before h
Paredri assessors, whom we find attached to the three superior archons, the euthyni, and the Helle
Parengraptoi is the term applied to those who had their names enrolled in the register of citizens with
Paries the wall of a roofed building, in contradistinction to MURUS (τεῖχοχ), a fence wall, and m
Parilia or PALILIA, a festival celebrated at Rome and in the country on the 21st of April, in hono
Parma dim. PARMULA (Hor. Carm. 2.7.10), a round shield, three feet in diameter, carried by the v
Parochi were certain people who were paid by the state to supply the Roman magistrates, ambassador
Partheniae are, according to the literal meaning of the word, children born from unmarried women (παρ
Passus a measure of length, which consisted of five Roman feet. (Col. 5.1; Vitr. 10.14.) [MENSURA
Pastillus PASTILLUM, strictly a small round cake of fine meal (Plin. Nat. 18.102), used in sacrifici
Pastophori were Egyptian priests, so called because they carried in processions small shrines (παστοὺ
Patella a small dish or plate. The word is a diminutive of PATINA: a supposed connexion with pater
Patera a round shallow vessel like a large saucer, but somewhat deeper than our ordinary saucer.
Patibulum from patere, seems to have originally denoted any beam placed horizontally; as the cross-b
Patina a deep dish used alike for cooking (patinarius, stewed, opposed to assus, roast, Plaut. As
Patria potestas potestas Potestas in its original meaning signified mastery, dominion (Curtius, Gr. Etym.
Patricii The authorised version of Roman History, as given in the narrative of Livy and Dionysius a
Patrimi ET MATRIMI, also called Patrimes et Matrimes, were those children whose parents were both
Patronomi were magistrates established by Cleomenes III. at Sparta in his reformed constitution, whe
Patronus The act of manumission gave birth, as it were, to a free person, and created a new relatio
Pauperies was the legal term for damage to property done to a person by a domesticated animal belong
Pecten . The use of the comb is almost universal, for it is known to all tribes who have learnt t
Peculatus is the misappropriation or theft of public or sacred property, whether it was done by a pu
Pecunia In the use of this word for money, we have a record of the fact that in primitive times in
Pedisequi a class of slaves, whose duty was to follow their master when he went out of his house, wh
Pedum a crook. The accompanying woodcut is taken from a painting found at Civita Vecchia (Ant. d
Pegma a structure of planks joined together, and so in its simplest form shelves in the atrium f
Pelanor is mentioned by Hesychius (s. v.) as a coin in use at Sparta, equivalent to four χαλκοῖ or
Pelatae are defined by Pollux (3.82) and other authorities to be free labourers working for hire,
Pellis There can be no doubt that the oldest inhabitants of Italy and Greece, no less than those
Peloria a festival celebrated by the Thessalians, which is compared to the Roman Saturnalia. Its o
Pelta a small shield. Iphicrates, observing that the ancient CLIPEUS was cumbrous and inconvenie
Pelvis a vessel for washing the feet. Thus much is clear from Varro's derivation, pedelvis a pedu
Penestae Thessalian serfs. The word is no doubt from the root of πένομαι, πόνος, πένης (Dionys. A.
Pentathlon . The pentathlon was one of the competitive games of the great festivals of Hellas, in whi
Pentecoste a customsduty of 2 per cent. levied probably upon all exports and imports at Athens (Harpo
Per condictionem condictionem This form of statute process (legis actio), says Gaius (4.18), was so called
Per judicis postulationem judicis postulationem was one of the legis actiones. The passage in Gaius (4.17) is wantin
Per pignoris capionem pignoris capionem This legis actio, or form of statute process, was a legal mode of self-r
Pera a wallet for carrying provisions and a drinking cup, worn either slung over the shoulder a
Perduellionis duoviri duoviri (or, as Mommsen shows, more correctly called duoviri perduellioni judicandae) were
Pergula was a kind of annexe to a house, whether at the top or the side. We find it therefore rese
Perimeridia or PARAMERIDIA (περιμηρίδια, Arrian. Tact. 4; παραμηρίδια more usually), armour for the th
Perioeci . This word primarily denotes the inhabitants of a district lying around some particular l
Periscelis Greek and Roman women, like those in the East of to-day, wore anklets and bangles. These a
Peristylium or PERISTYLUM. The Greek adjective περίστυλος is applied either to a court surrounded by c
Pero The boots worn by shepherds and labourers in rough and muddy weather were usually of untan
Perpendiculum a plumb-line, a string with a piece of metal attached, used by masons, carpenters, &c. to
Persona a mask. Masks were worn by Greek and Roman actors in nearly all dramatic representations.
Petaurum was, firstly, a pole or perch upon which fowls roosted (Theoc. 13.13; Pollux, 10.156): hen
Petorritum or PETORITUM, a four-wheeled carriage, which, like the ESSEDUM was adopted by the Romans i
Phalangae any long cylindrical pieces of wood, such as trunks of trees (Hdt. 3.97; Plin. Nat. 12.17)
Phalerae The Latin word is probably derived from its Greek equivalent, φάλαρα (τά). Oddly enough, t
Pharetra a quiver. A quiver, full of arrows, was the usual accompaniment of the bow. [ARCUS] It was
Pharmacon graphe graphe (φαρμάκων γραφή, Dem. c. Aristocr. p. 627.22, etc.; φαρμακείας κατηγορία, only in a
Pharmacopola quack doctors and drug-sellers who not only kept shops or booths for their goods, but also
Pharos or PHARUS (φάρος), a lighthouse. The most celebrated lighthouse of antiquity was that situ
Phasis was often used in a general sense to denote any kind of information (Pollux, 8.47, κοινῶς
Phonos homicide. The feelings and customs of the Greeks with regard to homicide in general underw
Phoros the tribute paid to Athens by her allies in the 5th century B.C. Upon the formation of the
Phthora ton eleutheron ton eleutheron (φθορὰ τῶν ἐλευθέρων) is only mentioned in a spurious law in Aesch. c. Tim.
Phylarchi . In ancient times the tribal system prevailed everywhere in Greece; the Dorians having a
Phylobasileis . The origin and functions of the Athenian officials called tribe-kings are involved in gr
Pictura painting. 1. Definition of terms. The word γράφω originally implies the engraving of signs
Pignus A thing is said to be pledged to a man when it is made security to him for the satisfactio
Pila PILA LUSORTA (σφαῖρα), a ball. In this article it is proposed to include an account, not m
Pilentum a state four-wheeled carriage with cushions, which conveyed the Roman matrons, flamines, a
Pilleus or PILLEUM. The art of making felt by beating hair or flocks of wool into a compact mass s
Pinacotheca a picture-gallery. Marcellus, after the capture of Syracuse, first displayed the works of
Piper was used as a seasoning both by Greeks and Romans, though not, as far as our evidence goes
Piscina is properly a fish-pond, either of salt water or of fresh; see the passages in Forcellini
Pistor a baker. Both with the Greeks and Romans the bread was originally prepared and baked at ho
Plagium This crime was the subject of a Lex Fabia, which is mentioned by Cicero (pro Rabirio Perd.
Planetae s. STELLAE ERRANTES (πλανῆται s. πλανώμενοι ἀστέρες as opposed to τὰ ἀπλανῆ τῶν ἄστρων). T
Plaustrum or PLOSTRUM, a cart or waggon. The plaustrum, strictly so called, was a heavy two-wheeled
Plebes or PLEBS, PLEBEII. The word plebes is formed from the same root as appears in compleo, imp
Plebiscitum is the name for the decrees passed by the corporation of the plebs in answer to the rogati
Plinthus a brick or tile [LATER], or a squared stone for building; so of the marble blocks for the
Plumarii were understood by Becker (whom Göll now corrects) to be persons who made stuffs of feathe
Pluteus signified in general any kind of upright, unroofed protection or shelter, and was hence us
Plynteria a festival celebrated at Athens in the month Thargelion, in honour of Athena (Phot. s. v.
Podium is the name given to the continuous base that forms the lower part of a wall or building.
Poena The original sense of this word, which is derived from the Greek ωροτϝω (Curtius, Gr. Etym
Polemarchus . There is probably no official title which was more widely diffused in Greece than that o
Poletae . The poletae at Athens were a board of ten officials or magistrates which formed one of t
Polus a word of various meanings, all however connected in some way with a sphere of revolution,
Pomerium or POMOERIUM. As regards the spelling of the word, the latter, which accords more nearly w
Pondera . In recent years the subject of Greek and Roman weights has received much attention, espe
Pons a bridge. One central idea, round which many curious beliefs and pieces of ritual are grou
Pontifex . The origin of this word is explained in various ways. Q. Scaevola, who was himself ponti
Poplifugia or POPULIFUGIA, the day of the people's flight, was celebrated on the 5th of July, accordi
Populus Populus is the collective name for the whole citizens of Rome, of whatever rank and class.
Poristae . Very little has come down to us concerning the constitution and functions of this magist
Porta the gate of a city, citadel, or other open space enclosed by a wall, in contradistinction
Porticus is a building of which the roof is supported at least on one side by columns; it is thus o
Portisculus a hammer or truncheon with which, as well as with his voice, the pausarius (= κελευστὴς) r
Portorium 1. Transit-dues or tolls on goods carried through a country or over a bridge, or a toll on
Portunalia a festival celebrated in honour of Portunus on the 17th of August. It is called also Tiber
Posca vinegar mixed with water, was the common drink of the lower orders among the Romans (Suet.
Possessio Paulus (Dig. 41, 2, 1) gives the following account of the etymology of this word:-- Posses
Postliminium JUS POSTLIMINII. There are, says Pomponius (Dig. 49, 15, 14, pr.), two kinds of Postlimini
Practores officers who collected the fines and penalties (ἐπιβολὰς and τιμήματα) imposed by magistra
Praeco a crier. Of these there were two distinct kinds--those in private employment, and those em
Praeda signifies movable things taken by an enemy in war: when captured by a Roman. army, they we
Praedium etymologically seems to be derived from the root hed (PRAEDA), through either praes or pra
Praefectus a title given to various officials, appointed, not directly by the people, but by the dele
Praefectus aegypti aegypti Egypt was not included by Augustus either in the senatorial or in the imperial pro
Praefectus annonae annonae Livy (4.12, 13) relates that in B.C. 440 L. Minucius was appointed praefectus anno
Praefectus castrorum castrorum praefect of the camp, is first mentioned in the reign of Augustus. There was one
Praefectus classis classis This title was frequently given in the times of the Republic to the commander of a
Praefectus praetorio praetorio was the commander of the troops who guarded the emperor's person. [PRAETORIANI]
Praefectus urbi urbi the title given to the deputy who, under the kings, was named to represent the suprem
Praefericulum was clearly some sort of brazen dish or bowl used in sacrifices, our only definition being
Praejudicium This word, as appears from its etymology, has a certain relation to Judicium, to which it
Praepositus which means a person placed over, was given as a title in the later times of the Roman Emp
Praes According to Ausonius (Idyll. 12.9), Vas was one who gave security or went bail for anothe
Praescriptio In its original signification, as a legal term of art, this word seems to denote a compone
Praetor This title, which Cicero (de Legg. 3.3, 8) connects with praeire, is found among the Latin
Praetorium in its primary sense was the tent of the general (praetor), the headquarters in the camp (
Prelum part of the oil and wine press [TORCULAR]. The name is also given to other presses, as (1)
Primicerius a name given to various officers and dignitaries under the later Roman empire, is explaine
Princeps the title of courtesy customarily given to the Roman emperors of the first century, and le
Proagogeias graphe graphe (προαγωγείας γραφή), a prosecution against those persons who performed the degradin
Probole an accusation of a criminal nature, preferred before the people of Athens in assembly, wit
Probouli a name applicable to any persons who are appointed to consult or take measures for the ben
Proconsul The office of proconsul was one resting on the theory of delegated authority. Delegation o
Procurator The term procurator signifies agent, and is used to denote the transaction of agency of al
Prodigium in its original meaning differs little from ostentum, monstrum, portentum. Quia enim osten
Prodosia . Under this term was included not only every species of treason, but also every such crim
Proeisphoras dike dike (προεισφορᾶς δίκη). At first, after the institution of the new census and the introdu
Proerosia called also προαρκτούρια (Paus. 10.15), a festival in the month Boedromion, celebrated by
Proletarii The state, according to the Servian constitution, was divided into those who had property
Proplasma the first sketch for a work in clay, preparatory to its execution in bronze, marble, or ot
Propraetor The propraetorship was, like the proconsulate, technically a delegation of the praetorian
Propylaea properly the space before the gate, is the name usually applied to a porch or entrance of
Proscriptio The word proscriptio, signifying primarily the writing up of anything, was generally used
Prostates tou demou tou demou (προστάτης τοῦ δήμου) denotes the leader of a popular party, as opposed to an ol
Prothesmia means generally an appointed time: thus in Aeschin. c. Tim. § 39, εἴ τις ἄλλη πώποτε τοιαύ
Protrygaea a festival celebrated in honour of Dionysus and Poseidon (Hesych. sub voce Aelian, Ael. VH
Provincia This term had originally no geographical signification, but denoted the functions prescrib
Prytaneum . The nearest approach that modern usage makes to the Prytaneum of a Greek state may be fo
Psephus . In voting by ballot the Greeks used, according to Pollux (8.16 f., 123), sea-shells (χοι
Pseudengraphes graphe graphe (ψευδεγγραφῆς γραφή). It is shown under PRACTORES that the name of every state debt
Pseudocleteias graphe graphe (ψευδοκλητείας γραφή), a prosecution against one who had falsely appeared as a κλητ
Psilothrum in Latin authors sometimes spelt psilotrum, an application for, removing superfluous hair,
Psycter a vessel for cooling wine or water. Wine was also cooled more simply by putting it in well
Publicani The name was applied to the farmers-general of the Roman revenues; the word publicum denot
Publiciana in rem actio in rem actio is the action granted by the Praetor's Edict to a person who had commenced th
Pugilatus boxing. The fist being the simplest and most natural weapon, it may be taken for granted t
Pugio a dagger; a two-edged knife, commonly of bronze, with the handle in many cases variously o
Puls was a thick gruel or porridge made of spelt (far, ador): as regards this grain, see AGRICU
Pulvinus a cushion, used for beds, couches, and litters, whether a cervical, to support the head in
Pupa a doll. Greek and Roman children commonly had dolls, made often of terra-cotta, but also o
Puteal the stone kerb round the mouth of a well. This was sometimes nearly flush with the ground,
Pyanepsia a festival celebrated at Athens every year on the 7th of Pyanepsion in honour of Apollo (H
Pyrgus a tower. 1. The towers used in fortification and in war are spoken of under TURRIS and HEL
Pyrrhica among the Greeks was properly the military dance of the Lacedaemonians and Cretans--dance,
Pythia one of the four great national festivals of the Greeks. It was celebrated in the neighbour
Pythii called also Ποίθιοι (Phot. s. v.), were four officers at Sparta who were chosen by the kin
Pyxis a casket, a jewel-box (Mart. 9.38); also a small box for holding drugs or poisons (Cic. pr