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[German version] (Συρίης/ Syríēs). Like Onesimus a gem-cutter of 'island stones' (second half of the 6th cent. BC), both probably working in Euboea. The inscription ΣΥΡΙΕΣ on a green steatite pseudo-scarab, with the reverse moulded as a Silen mask and an image of a citharode climbing on to a bêma (Rostrum) (London, BM), is considered to be the earliest master signature of a gem-cutter. Gem cutting Michel, Simone (Hamburg) Bibliography …

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[German version] (Θαμύρας; Thamýras). Name on five gems. Only the 18th century paste on a reliquary in the Vienna treasury is verifiably a copy of a missing gem with a Nereid from the period of Augustus. T. is deemed to be the signature of a gem-cutter from the circle of Dioscorides [8]. The other four 'signatures' are modern additions to ancient stones or elements of forgeries, probably following the Viennese model. Gem-cutting Michel, Simone (Hamburg) Bibliography E. Zwierlein-Diehl, T.-Gemmen, in: H.-U. Cain et al. (eds.), Beiträge zur Ikonographie und Hermeneutik, Festschrift N. Himmelmann, 1989, 425-431, plate 67 f.

[German version] Father of  Aulus [2] and Quintus, probably a Campanian stone carvers' family during the Roman Republican period with their preferred subjects being of Aphrodisian-Dionysian character. A.'s signature is on only one cameo fragment with a marine animal (London, BM).  Gem and cameo cutters …

[German version] [1] see Musical instruments Aulos, see  Musical instruments Michel, Simone (Hamburg) [German version] [2] Stonemason of the 1st cent. BC Stonemason of the 1st cent. BC, son of  Alexas, brother of Quintus. Signed works: Eros bound to tropaion (amethyst, London, BM), nailing down butterfly (hyacinth, The Hague, MK), bound (cameo, lost), with Aphrodite (carnelian, London, BM); satyr head (intaglio, lost); Maenad busts (hyacinth, erstwhile Collection Ludovisi); athlete (carnelian, Paris, CM); Poseidon and Amymone (white …

[German version] Gem-cutter of the Imperial Roman period (Antonine/1st cent.). Signed red jasper with Socrates bust (Berlin, SM) and yellow jasper (a variety of stone typical of the late Imperial period) with a lion (Boston, MFA).  Gem-cutting Michel, Simone (Hamburg) Bibliography …

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[German version] Glyptographer/gem engraver of the Roman republic, signatures on a sardonyx with the theft of the palladion (Diomedes at the altar, Collection of the Duke of…

[German version] (Ὀνέσας; Onésas). Hellenistic gem-cutter who signed a sard intaglio with an altered image of Athena Lemnia (London, BM; [1. 203, n. 56, pl. 53,5]). The latter also appears repeatedly like a replica on a more coarsely worked glass paste (Berlin, SM; [1.…

[German version] Classical Period gem cutter, whose signature ΠΕΡΓΑ (PERGA) is restored to Pergamos in accordance with master's signatures of the Classical Period which occur mostly in the nominative. A fire-damaged carnelian scarab, signed by him in this way, with the head of a youth in a Phrygian cap (Saint Petersburg, ER) has been found, together with coins of Lysimachus [2], in a grave at Kerch in the Crimea [1. 134, 198f., table  8,5; 3. 13126, 138f.56, fig. 41c, table 32,9], but on the basis of the lettering of the signature on the flap of the cap and the style …

(Ἡρόφιλος; Hēróphilos) [1] From Chalcedon, Greek physician and medical author, approx. 330/20-260/50 BC [German version] A. Life Greek physician from Chalcedon, about 330/320 to 260/250 BC [5. 43-50]. Apart from his training wit…

(Σκύλαξ; Skýlax). [German version] [1] From Caryanda, explorer 519/18 BC S. from Caryanda. Discoverer of shipping routes and geographer, in 519/512 BC [5. 78] in the service of Darius [1], he sailed  down the Indus [1] from Caspapyrus to the Indian coast, then - rounding the Arabian peninsula for the …

(Δεξαμενός; Dexamenós). [German version] [1] Mythical king of Olenus in Achaea Mythical king of  Olenus in Achaea, host of  Hercules; his name indicates that hospitality is his main function in the narrative. Hercules …

(Ὀνάτας; Onátas). …

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[German version] [1] Gem cutter, 1st cent. BC Gem cutter (1st cent. BC), signed the famous ‘Agathangelus cameo’ with the portrait of a man (carnelian, Berlin, SM) -- it has been debated since the 18th cent. as to whether this is Sextus Pompeius. Michel, Simone (Hamburg) Bibliography Zazoff, AG, 12, 281-283, pl. 79,1. [German version] [2] Secretary to the king of the Arsacides,  Tiridates IV Secretary to the king of the Arsacides,  Tiridates IV (AD 239-281). In the ‘History’ attributed to A., he is described as a ‘reliable witness’. The text deals with the Ch…

(Σόλων/ Sólōn). [1] S. of Athens Poet, legislator, c. 600 BC…

(Εὐτύχης; Eutýchēs). [German version] [1] Gem-cutter of the 1st cent. AD Gem-cutter of the 1st cent. AD, signed as ‘son of  Dioscorides of Aegeae’ the rock crystal with a bust of Athena (Berlin, SM), in the style of the Athena of Velletri.…

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[German version] [1] Commentator on Aristotle Commentator on Aristotle, 1st half of the 2nd cent. AD; teacher of  Herminus. His works were read i…

(σφραγίς/ sphragís, literally  Seal). [German version] [1] Seal (stone) Seal (stone): precious or decorative stone with intaglio engraving, signet ring, seal (impression). On 2nd-4th cent. AD magical amulet gems from Roman Egypt there is often mention of the demon-averting seal of Solomon and, connected with Solomon motifs, the Seal of God ( sphragìs theoû). Gem-cutting Michel, Simone (Hamburg) Bibliography S. Michel, Die magischen Gemmen im Britischen Museum, 2001, 268 ff., pls. 64-66; 430-450. [German version] …

(Σκόπας/ Skópas). [German version] [1] Scul…

(Ἀθηνίων; Athēníōn). [German version] [1] Peripatetic rhetorician in Athens Peripatetic rhetorician in Athens (different fr…

(Πρώταρχος/ Prṓtarchos). [German version] [1] Comic poet from Thespiae, 1st cent. BC Comic poet from Thespiae, victorious on one occasion in the 1st cent. BC at the Soteria of Acraephia, and son or father of the epic poet Protogenes; otherwise, nothing is known of him. Nesselrath, Heinz-Günther (Göttingen) Bibliography PCG VII, 1989, 583. …

Roman cognomen (‘The Fortunate One’), in the Republican period initially an epithet of the dictator L. Cornelius [I 90] Sulla and his descendants (Cornelius [II 59-61]); in the Imperial period, as a name invoking luck, one of the most common cognomina and the most common slave name. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] …

(Σώστρατος/ Sṓstratos). [German version] [1] Of Cnidus, Greek architect, 1st half of 3rd cent. BC Son of Dexiphanes of Cnidus; architect of the early Hellenistic period (1st half of 3rd cent. BC), mentioned several times in ancient literature (Plin. HN 36,83; Lucian, Amores 11; Lucian, Hippias 2). He was also diplomatically active, as one of the philoi of Ptolemaeus [3] II (Str. 17,1,6). As well as with various canal constructions linked to the conquest of the Egyptian city of Memphis and buildings at Cnidus and Delphi (FdD III…

(Κλέων; Kléōn). [German version] [1] The most influential politician in Athens after 430 BC The most influential politician in Athens after 430 BC, as the operator of a tannery was the first important demagogue from the circle of tradesmen who were rising to political leadership. Sources paint a picture of a man who put his loyalty to the people ( dḗmos) before that to his friends, who cleverly exploited the moods prevalent amon…

(Καλλίας; Kallías, Ion. Καλλίης; Kallíēs). Common Attic name from the 6th -- 4th cent. BC, especially in the rich priestly family (several …

(Διοσκουρίδης; Dioskourídēs). [German version] [1] Son of Polemaeus, naval commander in 314-313 BC Son of Polemaeus, nephew of  Antigonus [1] Monophthalmus. Led the fleet to a few victories as naval commander in 314-13 BC. Nothing further is known about his life. Badian, Ernst (Cambridge, MA) Bibliography R. A. Billows, Antigonus the One-Eyed, 1990, 381f. [German version] [2] Polyhistor of the 4th and 3rd cents. BC Polyhistor of the 4th and 3rd cents. BC, pupil of Isocrates (Ath. 1,18,11 A). Of his works, the following titles are known (cf. FGrH 3 B 594): 1. Apomnēmoneúmata (‘Memorabilia’), a manuscript of which the contents are unknown, with which Hegesander ( c. 150 BC) was familiar; 2. Lakṓnōn politeía (‘The Spartan State’; Plut. Lyc. 11,9); 3. …

(Βόηθος; Bóēthos). I. Political figures [German version] [1] Ptolemaean civil servant, 136/5 BC Son of Nicostratus from Caria; in the service of the Ptolemies well before 149 BC, he occupied various administrative positions before becoming epistrategos of Thebes. Founded two cities in Lower Nubia. Ameling, Walter (Jena) Bibliography…

(Ἀπολλώνιος; Apollṓnnios). [German version] [1] Dioiketes of Ptolemy II (259-245 BC) Of Caria, possibly Ptolemaic o ikonomos…