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People - Ancient Rome

Macrinus in Roman Biography

Ma-cri'nus, [Fr. Macrin, mfkitiN',] (M. Opelius or Oi'iLius,). a Roman emperor, was born of obscure parents in Mauritania in 164 A.n. He obtained the high office of prefect of the praetorians under Caracalla. In April, 217 A.D., he instigated the assassination of Caracalla, and was proclaimed emperor by the army, whose choice was confirmed by the s...

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Marius in Roman Biography

Ma'ri-us, (Caius,) a Roman general, distinguished for his splendid talents, indomitable energy, and unprincipled ambition, was born near Arpinum (now Arpino) in 157 B.C. His parents were poor and plebeian. He served under Scipio Africanus at the siege of Numantia, and was chosen tribune of the people in 119. He obtained the praetorship in 115, tho...

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Nerva in Roman Biography

Ner'va, (Marcus Cocceius,) a Roman emperor, born in Umbria in 32 A.D. He was consul with Vespasian in 71, and with Domitian in 90 A.D. On the death of Domitian, in the year 96, he was proclaimed emperor by the army and the people. His administration was mild and liberal. He recalled exiles who had been banished by former emperors, and enforced pena...

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Aristeas in Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities

（Ἀριστέας). An epic poet of Proconnesus, of whose life we have only fabulous accounts. His date is quite uncertain. He is represented as a magician, whose soul could leave and re-enter its body according to its pleasure. He was connected with the worship of Apollo, which he was said to have introduced at Metapontum. He wrote an epic poem on the Ari...

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Aristippus in Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities

（Ἀρίστιππος). A Greek philosopher, a native of Cyrené and a pupil of Socrates, after whose death in B.C. 399 he travelled about the Greek cities, imparting instruction for money. He was founder of the Cyrenaic School, or the system of Hedonism (from ἡδονή, pleasure). His doctrine was that as a basis for human knowledge the only things real and true...

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Numa Pompilius in Roman Biography

Nu'ma Pom-pil'i-us, the second king of Rome, celebrated in Roman legends or fables as the author of the religious ceremonies of the Romans. According to these legends, Numa was a Sabine, and was elected king as successor to Romulus. Instructed by the Camena Egeria, he prescribed the rites of public worship, and appointed pontiffs, augurs, flainens...

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Maecenas in Roman Biography

Maecenas, me-see'nas, [It. Mecknate, ma-cha-na'tl, orMECENATO; Fr. Mecenk, ma'sjn',] (Caius Cii.nius,) a celebrated patron of literature at Rome, was born probably about 70 li.c. He was descended from an ancient and royal Etruscan family, and belonged to the equestrian order. (Horace, Carm. I. 1-20.) He was the friend of Octavius before his accessi...

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Martial in Roman Biography

Martial, mar'she^l, [Fr. Martial, mtR'se'tl' ; Lat. Martia'lis ; It. Marziale, maRt-se-a'la,] or, more fully, Mar'cus Vale'rius Martia'lis, a famous Latin epigrammatic poet, born at Bilbilis, in Spain, about 40 a.d., went to Rome at the age of twenty-two, and resided there thirty-five years. The events of his life are very imperfectly known ; but ...

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Aristophănes in Harpers Dictionary of Classical Antiquities

The greatest writer of Greek comedy. He lived at Athens, B.C. 444-388. His father, Philippus, is said to have been not a native Athenian, but a settler from Rhodes or Egypt, who afterwards acquired citizenship. However this may be, the demagogue Cleon, whose displeasure Aristophanes had incurred, tried to call in question his right to the citizensh...

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Didius Julianus in Roman Biography

Did'I-us, (Julianus Severus,) a Roman emperor, born at Milan in 133 A.D., was the son of Petronius Didius Severus. He served in the army with distinction, and was made consul with Pertinax. After the murder of this emperor, in 193, the Prsetorians offered the empire at public auction to the highest bidder. The chief competitors were Sulpitianus and...

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