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[1] [German version] I. General points The Greek word canon (κανών, kanṓn) was probably derived from κάννα ( kánna: ‘bulrush reed or rod’), a Semitic loan word in the Greek language. The original meaning of ‘straight reed, stick, rod (in different uses)’ developed into several more specific and technical meanings. As a result, the Greek word canon designates a carpenter's or bricklayer's measuring stick or square, a chronological or astrological table, a monochord in music terminology (from Euclides [3]) etc. In …

(Θαλάσσιος; Thalássios). [German version] [1] Follower of Constantius [2] II, 4th cent. AD (Thalassius). Praefectus praetorio Orientis 351-353, from a family of curiales [2] of the East. Little is known about his career, but T. was obviously a loyal follower of Constantius [2] II: in 345, he acted as the emperor's comes in Aquileia; in 351, he held a high office at his court in Cibalae (Zos. 2,48,5); still in the same year, T. - probably a Christian - entered into the office of praetorian prefect of the East (Artemii Passio…

(Κοσμᾶς; Kosmâs). [German version] [1] C. and Damianus Doctor's saints and patrons of healing Doctor saints and patrons of healing. The Greek Synaxarion (ed. by H. Delehaye) contains three different pairs of saints with these names: 1) the sons of Theodata, who were born in Asia Minor and buried in Pelusium, whose feast day is 1 November; 2) the Roman martyrs stoned during the rule of  Carinus (283-285), whose feast day is 1 July; 3) the Arab martyrs killed with their three brothers under the emperor Diocleti…

(Θεοφάνης/ Theophánēs). [German version] [1] T. of Mytilene Close confidant and historiographer of Pompey (Pompeius [I 3]). As a recently-discovered inscription [1. 377-383] shows, T., the son of Hieroitas, was already active as prytanis at Mytilene (FGrH 188 T 1) before making the acquaintance of Pompey, whom he accompanied on the campaign against Mithridates [6] in 67 BC (T 2). He received Roman citizenship from Pompey in 62 BC (cf. Cic. Arch. 24 = T 3a) at an army gathering, and he therefore appears in IG XII 2, 150 as Cn. Po…

Supposedly an ancient Latin praenomen (Liber de praenominibus 4), but historically only attested (with meaning ‘The Fortunate’) for F. Cornelius [I 87] Sulla, the son of the dictator Sulla and his descendants ( Cornelius [II 57] and [II 60]). Epithet of the Anicii ( Anicius [II 2-6]); also a favourite name for slaves. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [German version] [1] Anicius Acilius Glabrio F. Consul AD 438 Scion of the most important late Roman senatorial family who became praefectus urbi Romae three times under Honorius and Valentinian III, in AD 437/8 and 442 praefectus praetorio…

(Μεθόδιος; Methódios). [German version] [1] Bishop of Olympus, 3rd-4th cent. AD Bishop of Olympus (late 3rd - early 4th cent. BC). Little about his life is known for certain. According to Jer. Vir. ill. 83 he was bishop of Olympus in Lycia, but Tyre, Patara, Myra and Philippi are also mentioned as his see. His martyrdom, also reported by Jerome, is equally disputed. M., who preferred the dialogue form in imitation of Plato, wrote numerous works (CPG 1810-1830) in an elegant style. His main work Sympósion ē Perí hagneías (Συμπόσιον ἢ Περὶ ἁγνείας [2]) celebrates virginity as an anti…

(Ἡσύχιος; Hēsýchios). [German version] [1] Alex. scholar, author of a lexicon Alexandrian scholar, author of an alphabetically arranged lexicon, which has passed down to us numerous fragments (primarily of poetry), allows many text variants to be restored, and is of special significance to the study of ancient classical exegesis, of dialects, and of the history of the Greek language. The basis for dating him is the Epistula ad Eulogium, which introduces the lexicon: some scholars identify the addressee with  Eulogius Scholasticus (5th cent. AD), others, includin…

According to modern etymology, the name derives from *agrei-pod-, ‘having the feet in front’ (according to Leumann, 398, ‘very dubious’). Originally a praenomen (thus still in the Iulii, especially A. Postumus), then a cognomen in the families of the Antonii, Asinii, Cassii(?), Fonteii, Furii, Haterii, Helvii, Iulii, Lurii, Menenii, Vibuleni, Vipsanii, but also of Jewish kings ( Herodes A.). Documented as name of various persons. Kienast, Dietmar (Neu-Esting) [German version] [1] M. Vipsanius, consul 37, 28, 27 BC M. Vipsanius, born 64/3 BC, of knightly lineage, probabl…

(Κοσμᾶς). [English version] [1] K. und Damianos Ärzteheilige und Heilungspatrone Ärzteheilige und Heilungspatrone. Das griech. Synaxarion (hrsg. von H. Delehaye) überl. drei unterschiedliche Heiligenpaare mit diesen Namen: 1) die in Asia minor geb. und in Pelusion begrabenen Söhne der Theodota, deren Festtag der 1. November ist; 2) die röm., unter der Herrschaft des Carinus (283-285) gesteinigten Märtyrer, deren Festtag der 1. Juli ist; 3) die arab., unter Kaiser Diocletian (284-305) im kilikischen Aigai …

[1] literarisch-künstlerischer Begriff [English version] I. Allgemein Das griech. Wort K. (κανών, kanṓn) leitet sich wahrscheinlich von κάννα ab ( kánna: “Binsenrohr, -rute”), einem semit. Lehnwort im Griech. Von der urspr. Bed. “gerades Rohr, Stange, Stab (in verschiedener Anwendung)” ausgehend entwickelten sich mehrere spezifisch technische Bedeutungen. So bezeichnet griech. k. die Richtlatte bzw. das Winkelmaß des Zimmermanns oder Maurers, eine chronologische oder astrologische Tafel, in der musikalischen Terminologie ein Monochord (ab Eukl…

Nach moderner Etym. sei der Name Agrippa von * agrei-pod- “vorn die Füße habend” abzuleiten. (lt. Leumann, 398, “sehr zweifelhaft”). Urspr. ein Praenomen (so noch bei den Iulii, bes. A. Postumus), dann Cognomen, in den Familien der Antonii, Asinii, Cassii(?), Fonteii, Furii, Haterii, Helvii, Iulii, Lurii, Menenii, Vibuleni, Vipsanii, aber auch bei jüd. Königen (Herodes A.). Als Nomen bei verschiedenen Personen belegt. Kienast, Dietmar (Neu-Esting) [English version] [1] M. Vipsanius, cos. 37, 28, 27 v. Chr. M. Vipsanius, geb. 64/3 v. Chr., ritterlichen Geschlechts, wohl…

[English version] [1] Thallos Epigrammatiker aus Milet, 2. H. 1. Jh. v. Chr. Epigrammdichter aus Milet (nach [2] hat er durch das Patronat der Antonia Minor die röm. Bürgerschaft erh.), lebte in der 2. H. des 1. Jh. v. Chr. (in Anth. Pal. 6,235 wird die Geburt eines Καῖσαρ begrüßt, der entweder mit C. Iulius Caesar, dem Enkel des Augustus, oder mit Germanicus gleichzusetzen ist). Seine fünf aus dem “Kranz” des Philippos stammenden Epigramme sind in ihren Themen zwar konventionell (das Grabepigramm Anth. Pal.…

(Νικόλαος). [English version] [1] Stratege Ptolemaios' IV. in Koile-Syria, 219 v.Chr. Aitoler, stratēgós Ptolemaios' IV. in Koile-Syria, belagerte 219 v.Chr. vergeblich den abtrünnigen Theodotos in Ptolemais, verhinderte aber die Einschließung von Dora durch Antiochos [5] III. Im J. 218 zum Oberkommandierenden gemacht, besetzte er den Küstenpaß nördl. von Sidon, wurde aber von Antiochos am Damurasfluß zurückgeworfen. N. ging dann wohl zu Antiochos über, den er 209…

Angeblich altes lat. Praenomen (Liber de praenominibus 4), aber histor. (in der Bedeutung “der vom Glück Begünstigte”) erst bezeugt für F. Cornelius [I 87] Sulla, den Sohn des Dictators Sulla, und seine Nachkommen (Cornelius [II 57] und [II 60]). Beiname der Anicii (Anicius [II 2-6]); auch beliebter Sklavenname. Elvers, Karl-Ludwig (Bochum) [English version] [1] Anicius Acilius Glabrio F. Consul 438 n. Chr. entstammte der bedeutendsten spätröm. Senatorenfamilie, war unter Honorius und Valentinianus III. dreimal praefectus urbi Romae, 437/8 n.Chr. und 442 praefectus praetori…

(Μεθόδιος). [English version] [1] Bf. von Olympos, 3./4. Jh. Bischof von Olympos (E. 3./Anf. 4. Jh.n.Chr.). Über sein Leben ist wenig Sicheres bekannt. Nach Hier. vir. ill. 83 war er Bischof des lykischen Olympos, aber auch Tyros, Patara, Myra und Philippoi werden als Bischofssitze gen. Ebenso umstritten ist das ebenfalls bei Hieronymus berichtete Martyrium. Der in Anlehnung an Platon den Dialog bevorzugende M. verfaßte zahlreiche Schriften (CPG 1810-1830) in elegantem Stil. Sein Hauptwerk Sympósion ē Perí hagneías (Συμπόσιον ἢ Περὶ ἁγνείας [2]) feiert die Jungfräulich…

[English version] [1] alex. Gelehrter, Verf. eines Lex. Alexandrinischer Gelehrter, Verf. eines alphabetisch angeordneten Lex., das uns zahlreiche Frg. (v.a. von Dichtung) überliefert, die Wiedergewinnung zahlreicher Textvarianten ermöglicht und eine bes. Bedeutung für das Studium der ant. Klassikerexegese sowie der Dialekte und der Gesch. der griech. Sprache einnimmt. Für die Datierung grundlegend ist die das Lex. einführende Epistula ad Eulogium: Manche Gelehrte setzen den Adressaten mit Eulogios Scholastikos (5. Jh. n.Chr.) gleich, andere, darunter L…

(Παλλάδιος). [English version] [1] griech. Rhetor, 4. Jh. Griech. Rhetor der 1. H. des 4. Jh.n.Chr. (Suda s.v. P. setzt die Blüte unter Constantinus [1] I. an) aus Methone (wahrscheinlich dem messenischen). Nach der Suda verfaßte er neben Deklamationen aller drei rhet. Genera ( genera dicendi ) auch eine antiquarische Schrift über die Feste der Römer (FGrH F 837). Ob P. mit einem der zahlreichen in den Briefen des Libanios erwähnten P. identisch ist und wenn ja mit welchem, läßt sich nicht klären; außer in der Suda w…

(Μάξιμος). [English version] [1] M. von Tyros Autor von Vorlesungen u.a. zu Ethik und Theologie, 2. Jh. 2. Jh.n.Chr., Autor von 41 kurzen dialéxeis (Vorlesungen), nach dem wichtigsten Ms. (Cod. Parisinus graecus 1962) in Rom gehalten (die Suda datiert einen Besuch auf die Regierungszeit des Commodus, 180-191 n.Chr.). Zu seinen Themen, die einfach konzipiert, aber rhet. ausgefeilt vorgebracht werden (häufiger Gebrauch von Vergleichen, Zitaten aus der Dichtung, myth. und histor. Beispielen), zählt vorrangig die Ethik, …

[German version] [1] Apostle (Πέτρος/ Pétros, literally 'the rock'). Apostle, leading figure in the group of disciples called by Jesus of Nazareth and in the original Christian community. Frank, Karl Suso (Freiburg) [German version] A. General comments Sources documenting his life include: (1) the NT writings: the Gospels, the Acts of the Apostles, Paul's letters (1 Corinthians, Galatians), the 1st and 2nd letter of P. (biographical analysis needs to take into account the special character of these writings); (2) early Church writi…

(Νικόλαος/ Nikólaos). [German version] [1] Strategos of Ptolemy IV in Coele Syria, 219 BC Aetolian, stratēgós of Ptolemy IV in Coele Syria. In 219 BC, he unsuccessfully besieged the dissident Theodotus in Ptolemais,  but succeeded in preventing the encirclement of Dora by Antiochus [5] III. Made supreme commander in 218, he occupied the coastal pass north of Sidon, but was repelled by Antiochus at the Damuras river. N. then probably defected to Antiochus, whom he accompanied in 209 to Hyr…

(Βασιλεῖος; Basileîos). [German version] [1] Basil the Great Theologian and bishop of Caesarea/Cappadocia. Markschies, Christoph (Berlin) [German version] A. Biography B. (born around 329/330 as the son of a Christian senatorial family who owned large estates) together with his younger brother  Gregorius of Nyssa and his friend  Gregorius of Nazianze were called the three great Cappadocians. His grandmother gave him his first introduction to the Bible and theology along the lines of Origenism. His education contin…

(Βασιλεῖος). [English version] [1] B. der Große Theologe und Bf. von Kaisareia/Kappadokien. Markschies, Christoph (Heidelberg) [English version] A. Biographie Zusammen mit seinem jüngeren Bruder Gregor von Nyssa und seinem Freund Gregor von Nazianz zählt B. (* um 329/30 als Sohn einer christl. senatorischen Großgrundbesitzerfamilie) zu den sog. drei großen Kappadoziern. Seine Großmutter gab ihm eine erste Einführung in Bibel und Theologie in den Bahnen des Origenismus. Kaisareia/Kappadokien, Konstantinopel und At…

[German version] I. Greek (Γρηγόριος; Grēgórios) [German version] [I 1] Thaumaturgus Lawyer and theologian, 3rd cent. AD G. was born between AD 210 and 213, as the son of a wealthy pagan family in Neocaesarea/ Pontus (modern Niksar), probably under the name of Theodorus. In 232/3 (or 239), after a thorough elementary education G. actually wanted to study law in  Berytus/Beirut but before this in  Caesarea [2] (Palestine) got to know  Origen who taught there and then studied under his supervision the ‘Christian s…

(Λεόντιος; Leóntios). [German version] [1] Ptolemaic commander of Seleucid Pieria, late 3rd cent. BC Ptolemaic commander of Seleucea Pieria; in 219 BC, he surrendered the city to Antiochus [5] III after initial resistance in a hopeless position. Ameling, Walter (Jena) [German version] [2] General of peltasts, 3rd cent. BC Macedonian, named general of peltasts by Antigonus [3] Doson in his will. Together with Megaleas, L. opposed the pro-Achaean politics of Philippus V and his mentor Aratus [2]; after inciting the elite troops against the k…

(Ἀριστείδης; Aristeídēs). [German version] [1] Athenian politician and srategos (beginning of the 5th cent. BC) Of Athens, son of Lysimachus. He was one of the most prominent politicians and strategoi of Athens at the time of the Persian Wars. In the battle of Marathon, he probably served as a strategos. In 489/488 BC, he was the eponymous archon (Plut. Aristides 1,2, cf. IG I3 1031). In 482 BC, he was ostrazised ( Ostraka) (Hdt. 8,79; Aristot. Ath. Pol. 22,7; Plut. Aristides 7,1 ff.). His rivalry with  Themistocles, documented already in Herodotus (8,79), …

[German version] I Greek (Παλλάδιος; Palládios). [German version] [I 1] Greek rhetor, 4th cent. Greek rhetor of the first half of the 4th cent. AD (Suda s.v. P. gives his prime as under Constantinus [1] I) from Methone (probably the Messenian one). According to the Suda, in addition to declamations he wrote in all three rhetorical genres ( genera dicendi ) and also an antiquarian work on the festivals of the Romans (FGrH F 837). Whether P. is identical with one of the numerous Palladii mentioned in the letters of Libanius and if …

(Λεόντιος). [English version] [1] Ptolem. Kommandant von Seleukeia Pieria, Ende 3. Jh. v. Chr. Ptolem. Kommandant von Seleukeia Pieria; 219 v.Chr. übergab er die Stadt - nach anfänglichem Widerstand in aussichtsloser Position - an Antiochos [5] III. Ameling, Walter (Jena) [English version] [2] Peltastengeneral, 3. Jh. v. Chr. Makedone, von Antigonos [3] Doson testamentarisch zum Peltastengeneral berufen. L. widersetzte sich mit Megaleas der proachaiischen Politik Philippos' V. und dessen Mentor Aratos [2]; nach der Aufwiegelung der Elitetru…

(Ἀριστείδης). [English version] [1] Athen. Politiker und Stratege (Anf. 5. Jh. v. Chr.) Aus Athen, Sohn des Lysimachos, einer der prominentesten Politiker und Strategen Athens z.Z. der Perserkriege. Bei Marathon diente er wahrscheinlich als Stratege. 489/88 v. Chr. war er eponymer Archon (Plut. Aristeides 1,2, vgl. IG I3 1031). 482 wurde er ostrakisiert (Ostraka) (Hdt. 8,79; Aristot. Ath. pol. 22,7; Plut. Aristeides 7,1 ff.). Dabei spielte wohl seine bereits bei Herodot bezeugte Rivalität mit Themistokles eine Rolle (8,79). Sachlicher Hinter…

(Στέφανος; Stéphanos). [German version] [1] Athenian politician, 4th cent. BC Athenian, son of Antidorides from the deme Eroiadai (Syll.3 205 = IG II/III2 213 = Tod 168: request to renew friendship and alliance with Mytilene in the spring of 346 BC), as prosecutor and politician aligned with Callistratus [2]. The allegation by Apollodorus [1] that S. had attempted to pass off the children of (his children by?) his common-law spouse, Neaera [6], a former hetaera from Corinth, as his own children from a legitimate marr…

[German version] I. Greek (Μάξιμος; Máximos) [German version] [I 1] Maximus of Tyre Author of lectures mainly on ethics and theology, 2nd cent. AD, [1] Maximus of Tyrus AD 2nd cent.; author of 41 short dialéxeis (lectures), according to the most important MS (Cod. Parisinus graecus 1962) delivered in Rome (the Suda dates a visit to the reign of Commodus, AD 180-191). His concepts are simple yet rhetorically sophisticated (frequent use of comparisons, quotations from poetry, mythological and historical examples); his main topic is…

[German version] A. Greek (Ἀντώνιος; Antṓnios). [German version] [1] Thallus Epigrammatic poet, 2nd half of the 1st cent. BC Epigrammatic poet from Miletus (according to [2] he had received Roman citizenship, through the patronage of Antonia Minor) lived in the 2nd half of the 1st cent. BC (in Anth. Pal. 6,235 the birth of a Καῖσαρ [ Kaîsar] is celebrated, who is to be equated with either C. Julius Caesar, the grandson of Augustus, or with Germanicus). His five epigrams, which derive from the ‘Garland’ of Philippus, are certainly conventional in their…

(Ἰωάννης; Iōánnēs). Well-known persons i.a.: I. [1] the Evangelist, I. [4] Chrysostomos, bishop of Constantinople and Homilet, I. [18] Malalas, author of the world chronicle, I. [25] of Gaza, rhetor and poet, I. [33] of Damascus, the theologian, I. [39] Baptistes. [1] I. the Evangelist [German version] A. Tradition and criticism According to the inscriptions, the author of a  Gospel (Jo), of three letters and the Apocalypse in the NT is called I. (= J.; the name appears only in Apc. 1:1; 1:4; 1:9; 22:8). Since the end of the 2nd cent. (Iren. adv…

(Ἰωάννης). Bekannte Personen u.a.: I. [1] der Evangelist, I. [4] Chrysostomos, der Bischof von Konstantinopel und Homilet, I. [18] Malalas, der Verf. der Weltchronik, I. [25] von Gaza, der Rhetor und Dichter, I. [33] von Damaskos, der Theologe. [1] I. der Evangelist [English version] A. Tradition und Kritik Der Verf. eines Evangeliums (Jo), dreier Briefe und der Apokalypse im NT heißt nach den Inschr. I. (= J.; der Name steht im Text nur Apk 1,1; 1,4; 1,9; 22,8). Seit Ende des 2. Jh. (Iren. adversus haereses 3,1,1; Polykrates von Ephesos nach…

[German version] I Greek (Θεόδωρος; Theódōros). [German version] [I 1] Of Samos, Greek architect, bronze sculptor and inventor, Archaic period Multitalented Greek inventor, architect, bronze sculptor and metal worker ( toreutḗs; Toreutics) of the Archaic period from Samos (for the occupational image cf. architect). His father was Telecles (Hdt. 3,41; Paus. 8,14,8; 10,38,6) or according to other sources (Diog. Laert. 2,103; Diod. Sic. 1,98) Rhoecus [3]; his name is so frequently mentioned in conjunction with the latter that …