A smaller classical dictionary

by William Smith

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1910 edition. ...called a temple. It stood close by the forum. It appears to have been left open in war, to indicate symbolically that the god had gone out to assist the Roman warriors, and to have been shut in time of peace that the god, the safeguard of the city, might not escape. On new year's day, which was the principal festival of the god, people gave presents to one another, consisting of sweetmeats and copper coins, showing on one side the double head of Janus and on the other a ship. Jason, son of Aeson, and the celebrated leader of the Argonauts. His father Aeson, who reigned at Iolcus in Thessaly, was deprived of the kingdom by his half-brother Pelias, who attempted to take the life of the infant Jason. He was saved by his friends, and entrusted to the care of the centaur Chiron. When he had grown up he came to Iolcus, and demanded the kingdom which Pelias promised to surrender to him, provided he brought the golden fleece, which was in the possession of king Aeetes in Colchis, and was guarded by an ever-watchful dragon. Jason willingly undertook the enterprise, and set sail in the ship Argo, accompanied by the chief heroes of Greece. He obtained the fleece with the assistance of Medea, whom he made his wife, and along with whom he returned to Iolcus. The history of his exploits on this enterprise is related elsewhere. Argonautae. In order to avenge the death of his father, who had been slain by Pelias during his absence, Medea, at the instigation of Jason, persuaded the daughters of Pelias to cut their father to pieces and boil him, in order to restore him to youth and vigour, as she had before changed a ram into a lamb, by boiling the body in a cauldron. Pelias thus perished miserably; and his son Acastus expelled Jason and Medea from Iolcus. They...

Genres: Reference

644 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 1934

About the author

Sir William Smith (1813-1893) was an English lexicographer. He became known for his advances in the teaching of Greek and Latin in schools.

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

See also:
William Smith, exercise books

Reviews

[Jim Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not sure I would have made it through Latin class without this little reference work.