Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

500 results found

Ypsilanti, Greek family

(Encyclopedia)Ypsilanti or Hypsilanti both: ĭpˌsĭlănˈtē [key], prominent Greek family of Phanariots (see under Phanar). An early distinguished member, Alexander Ypsilanti, c.1725–c.1807, was dragoman (minis...

Greek literature, ancient

(Encyclopedia)Greek literature, ancient, the writings of the ancient Greeks. The Greek Isles are recognized as the birthplace of Western intellectual life. The next period of Greek literature reached its zenith i...

puck, in Germanic mythology

(Encyclopedia)puck pŭk [key], in Germanic folklore, generic name for various malevolent spirits. The medieval English pouke was often identified with the devil. However, the Puck of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night...

chorus, in Greek drama

(Encyclopedia)chorus, in the drama of ancient Greece. Originally the chorus seems to have arisen from the singing of the dithyramb, and the dithyrambic chorus allegedly became a true dramatic chorus when Thespis in...

Aratus, Greek poet

(Encyclopedia)Aratus ərāˈtəs [key], fl. 3d cent. b.c., Greek court poet, from Soli in Cilicia. He wrote an astronomical treatise, Phenomena, which was quoted by Paul at Athens. ...

Thisbe , in Greek legend

(Encyclopedia)Thisbe: see Pyramus and Thisbe.

Greek-letter society

(Encyclopedia)Greek-letter society: see fraternity. ...

Polydorus, Greek sculptor

(Encyclopedia)Polydorus, Greek sculptor: see Laocoön. ...

Pollux, Greek hero

(Encyclopedia)Pollux, Greek hero: see Castor and Pollux. ...

Hero, Greek mathematician

(Encyclopedia)Hero, Greek mathematician: see Heron of Alexandria. ...