A complete dictionary of the Greek and Roman antiquities explaining the obscure places in classic authors and ancient historians relating to the religion, mythology, history, geography and chronology of the ancient Greeks and Romans, their ... rites and customs, laws, polity, arts and engines of war : also an account of their navigations, arts and sciences and the inventors of them : with the lives and opinions of their philosophers / compiled originally in French ... by Monsieur Danet ; made English, with the addition of very useful mapps.

G. (Book g)

G. Is but a diminution of C, as Quintilius tells us. Wherefore they have a great affinity together, for of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, we make Gubernator, and of necotium, negotium. And Quintilian records, that in the words Gains, Gneius, it was not perceived if it was a C or a G. From whence it comes that of Centum were formed quadringinta, quingenta; and of porri∣cere, a word used in sacrifices, was made por∣rigere.

The common opinion is, that G was in∣vented but after the first Carthaginian War, be∣cause on the Pillar that Duillius erected then, C is always found instead of the G;

MACESTRATOS, LECIO∣NES, CARTHACINENSES, PUCNANDO. Which can't be well understood, but by pronouncing the C like a K.

The pronounciation of G before the E and the I, is now very much softned, for 'tis pronounced in Regis and Rege, as Regent and Regir is pronounced in the French Tongue; but in former Ages 'tis every where sounded hard, as in Rego.

They ask a question about the Letter G, whether the Romans pronounced the G before the N, as the French do in these words Agnez, Magnifique, Espagnol, &c.

But in all likelihood the Romans pronounced the G not as the French do in the abovesaid words, and that the G in Agnus was pro∣nounced by them, as it is in Agger, for the other pronunciation is so particular and dif∣ferent from the common pronunciation of G, the Ancient Writers had otherwise never made use of it.

And 'tis to be observed, that the G is so little pronounced in these words Agnez and the like, that it doth but denote a liquid N, as the same Letter G shews in the Italian tongue the liquid L, Figlliola, Daughter; wherefore the Spaniards write Segnor without a G, draw∣ing only a little stroke upon the N, to shew that 'tis a liquid Letter, and that it receives that pronunciation, writing thus Senor, and pronouncing Segnor. And Ramus in his French Grammar marks this liquid N in French only with a little comma over it, instead of join∣ing the G to it.

Here arises still another difficulty, namely, to know if the Letter N is changed by the Greeks into T in some words, as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, &c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is then pronounced like an N. For it seems, says Honricus Stephanus, that 'tis an Errour of the Copists, who have made the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a little too broad in the joyning the small Letters, and have made a 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of it. From whence comes that in the M S. written in ca∣pital Letters, like those he has made use of to make his Thesaurus, these whole words are found with an N, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, ANKTPA, and the like. For, says he, it seems absurd to say that N was changed into 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, to the end that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 might be pronounced like an N. Wherefore Scaliger tells us, that if we read sometimes these words with an N, then we must be sure that it is a fault of the Copists, who thought to express this pronunciation the better by that Character, which pronun∣ciation, as Vossius says, should require rather some new and particular character.

The Latins had something like that in their Tongue, which Nigidius in Aulus Gallius, calls a false N, as in the words Anguis, Ancera and others. Wherefore Varro, as 'tis related by Priscian, affirms that Attius and the Ancient Writers wrote these words with a double GG, like the Greeks, Aggulus, Aggens, and the like.

The Letter G among the Ancients signifi∣ed 400, and when there was a dash of a Pen over it, then it denoted forty thousand.

GABALUS,

A Cross or Gallows of the Ancients.

GALANTHIS,

The waiting Maid of Alcmena, who deliver'd her Mistriss from the Inchantments of Juno, who would not suffer her to be delivered of a Child, whom she had got by Jupiter. But Galanthis percei∣ving the Sorcery of Juno, came running to her, and said, her Mistriss was brought to bed, whereupon Juno unfastened her Charms. Notwithstanding, Juno having afterwards dis∣covered that she had been cozened, in revenge thereof changed Galanthis into a Weasel, who brings forth her young at her Mouth, where∣with she had offended in telling a Lye, to procure the lying in of Alcmena, to whom Juno bore hatred.

GALATEA,

The Daughter of Jupiter Celtes, wherefore she was called Celtina, and Wife to Hercules of Libya, with whom she reigned 35 years in Gaul.

GALATEA,

A Sea-Nymph, whom Polyphemus the Cyclops loved: she was called Galatea because of her whiteness, for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies Milk.

GALATES,

The Son of Hercules of Libya, and Galatea the Daughter of Jupiter Celtes, reigned in Gaul, in the year of the World 2274. 'Tis recorded that the Gauls and the Greeks assisted him in the Conquest of some Provinces of Asia, and that Country was called Galatia, or Gallo-Graecia, as Diodorus Siculus and Berosus tell us.

GALATIA,

A Country of Asia Minor, which took its Name from the Gauls, who joined with the Greeks, came to inhabit this part of the World under the command of their King Galates, in the time of Pyrrhus King of Epirus. The chiefest Cities of that Coun∣try are Ancyra and Synope. The Inhabitants thereof were accounted to be Cowards and Effeminate, like all the rest of the Nations of Asia. It was a custom among them to throw Letters into the Wood-pile where the Corps were burnt, and they fancied that they should read them in Hell.

GALBA SERVIUS SULPI∣TIUS,

was chosen Emperor in the room of Nero, by the Army commanded by him, being then seventy years old. He attributed his Origine to Jupiter, and Pasiphae the Wife of Minos King of Crete. He was of a brawny Countenance, a wrinkled Forehead, a bald Head, and a Hawk-nose. His Debaucheries made him Gouty, the Joints of his Feet and Hands were knotty to that degree, that he was not able to hold a Book, or to put off a Shoe. His Hawk-nose gave him the Counte∣nance of an Eagle the King of Birds. Au∣gustus observing that mark, while he was sit∣ting at Table with him, foretold that he should one time or another enjoy the Sove∣raign Command; but that he should but in a manner taste of the Empire.

That will come to pass, said he, when Mules shall not be barren.

A long time after this Discouse, this pro∣digy was fulfill'd. The Historians tax him with a sordid covetousness, and a slavish sub∣mission to three Favourites, who governed, and made hast to make their Fortune under an old Prince. However, some Writers re∣late, that he was only covetous before his coming to the Imperial Government; and that as soon as he was Emperor, he was a li∣beral Prince, bestowing Largesses upon his Subjects, and granting them Priviledges.

He was the first Emperor chosen by the Soldiers, tho he was not of the Family of the Caesars; and adopted Piso a young Man of great hopes, and having brought him to the Camp, he declared the choice he had made to the Army; but spoke not a word of bestowing Largesses upon the Soldiers; whereupon Otho caballed, and got both Galba and his Successor murthered, after he had reigned seven Months the tenth day of January, in the year 69, be∣ing then 73 years of Age.

GALEA,

A Helmet, a Head-piece, which covered the whole Face like a Mask.

GALERUS,

A Cap made of skin in the form of a Helmet. This Cap was for the use of Mercury and the Priests of Jupiter, cal∣led Flamenidalis, who wore a white Cap made of the skin of a white Sheep, sacrificed to Jupiter, called Albogalerus.

GALIENUS,

Gallen, born at Perga∣mus, Physician to M. Aurelius, and Lucius Ve∣rus. He was very famous in Physick, and brought it to a method, now followed by the greatest part of Physicians; yet many Men, who are not carried away by the multitude and prejudice of opinions, condemn and re∣ject his Method, as being unfit to cure ex∣traordinary Distempers.

He was an Enemy both to Jews and Chri∣stians, blaming them for believing very hard things without any demonstration. Certainly he was a very great Man, and so excellent in his Art, that having conveyed away a very dan∣gerous defluction by letting of Blood, and cured the Falling-sickness by tying the Root of Piony about the neck, he was taxed of Magick, and forced to quit Rome, and died at Pergamus, the place where he was born. Some Writers tell us that he was then seventy years old, and o∣thers a hundred and four. It appears by two Commentaries of his own Books, that he had writ two hundred Volumes, which were burnt in the Fire of the Temple of Peace.

GALLIA,

See after Gallienus after∣wards.

GALLICAE,

A kind of Shoes, that the ancient Gauls were used to wear, like Wood or Cork Galoches, worn by the Coun∣try people of Gaul in rainy weather; the up∣per part of these Galoches was made of Lea∣ther, or Leather Straps, to keep them fast to the Feet, like the Sandals of Begging Friars.

GALLIENUS PUBLIUS LI∣CINIUS IGNATIUS,

The Son of Valerianus, associated by him to the Em∣pire. They reigned together about seven or eight years, till Valerianus was taken by Sapor King of Persia. During his reign, the Empire was oppressed with several Calamities, which he ascribed to the persecution of the Chri∣stians: wherefore he recall'd the Edicts made against them. This Prince was given to all kinds of Crimes. Claudius, who com∣manded the Army against the Nation call'd Daci, not being able to bear any longer with his infamous Debaucheries, caus'd him to be murthered at Milan, together with his Bro∣thers and Children, and seiz'd upon the Em∣pire.

GALLIA,

The Gauls. By the name of Gallia, Caesar means only the Gauls, which comprehends three kinds of People, viz. Belgi, Celti or Galli and Aquitani. This Gaul is called by Writers, who lived a little after the time of Caesar, Gallia Comata. Here we must consider all that might be understood by the name of Gaul, and observe its chiefest di∣visions and distinctions, that conduce to the understanding the Commentaries of Caesar.

The name of Gaul was extended on both sides of the Alps. The Country which is be∣tween the Alps and Mount Appenninus on both sides of the River Po, is called Gallia, Cis-Al∣pina, and sometimes Gallia Togata; because in regard to the Romans it is within the Alps; Togata, because the Inhabitants there∣of, tho' they were Colonies of the Gauls be∣yond the Alps, did wear the Roman Habit, called Toga Romana. The Lands which are beyond the Alps, in regard to the Romans, and between the Alps and the Pyrennean Moun∣tains, the Mediterranean Sea, the Ocean and the River Rhine, are properly Gaul, cal∣led by Caesar and other Writers Transalpina; because it is beyond the Alps in regard to the City of Rome. This Gaul thus called, is still divided in two parts; the nearest part to Italy is called by Caesar, Provincia, and some∣times Provincia Romanorum, or Provincia Ulte∣rior, in respect to the Gauls within the Alps, call'd Provincia Citerior. The other part of the Transalpine Gaul, is called plainly by Caesar, Gallia, which he subdued to the Roman Em∣pire, and has divided himself in three parts, one inhabited by the Nation called Belgi, the other by the Aquitani, and the third by the Celti, whom the Romans called Galli. All the Writers since Caesar call this Gaul, Gallia Co∣mata, the hairy Gaul, because the Inhabi∣tants thereof wore long Hair; and the other part, which is nearer to Italy and Spain,

was called Gallia Braccata, because the Inha∣bitants thereof wore Trowses.

Gaul is divided in three parts, that which is on the side of Italy is called Gallia Togata; the second, which is between Italy and Spain, is called Gallia Braccata; and the third, which is between the River Rhine and Spain, and from the Alps to the Ocean, is called Gallia Comata.

Caesar divides likewise Gallia Comata into three parts, viz. Gallia Celtica, extended from the Rivers Marne and Sein, to the Rivers Rhone and Garoone, and from the Rhine to the Ocean. Gallia Belgica begins at the Frontiers of Gallia Celtica, and is extended to the Rhine, drawing towards its mouth. Gallia Aquitani∣ca or Gasconia is included between the River Garonne and the Pyrenean Hills, along the Coasts of the Ocean. The first is oppo∣site to the North; the second to the North and the East, and the third looks to the West or the North.

GALLI,

The Gauls. This Nation is very superstitious, and when in great dan∣gers either of War or Sickness, they sacrifice Men, or make vow to sacrifice some; which they perform by their Druides: for they think that God can't be otherwise appeased, and that one Mans Life can't be redeem'd, but by anothers laying down his for him.

In some places there are Idols of Wicker of a prodigious bigness, which are fill'd up with Men, and often with Malefactors; then they set them on fire, and sometimes for want of Malefactors, they burn therein innocent Men.

Of all the Gods, they especially worship Mercury, as the Inventer of Arts, and Patron of Travellers and Merchants; they have ma∣ny Statues of him among them. After Mer∣cury, the most respected by them are Apollo, Mars, Jupiter and Minerva, and they have the same opinion of them as the other Nations have; viz. That Apollo cures Distempers; Mi∣nerva presides over Manufactures; Mars is the soveraign disposer of War; and Jupiter is the Soveraign of the Gods. Before they engage the Enemy, they devote him the Spoils, and sacrifice to him all the Cattle after they have obtained the Victory: The remainder of the Booty is brought together, and consecrated in Temples and other publick places, where it lyes in heaps, and 'tis forbidden to take away any thing of it, under very severe pu∣nishment, or to conceal any part thereof after the Fight is over.

They account themselves the posterity of Pluto, according to the tradition of their Druides or Priests, wherefore they reckon the time by Nights, and not by Days, as we do; and if they reckon the Months or the Years, or solemnize their Birth-day, they begin al∣ways by Night.

Their Funerals are as stately as their Coun∣try can afford; they burn with the Corps of the dead, all that was most dear to him, even the Beasts, and formerly the Slaves them∣selves, and their freed Men. Their Chil∣dren never appear in publick in the presence of their Fathers, till they are fit to bear Arms. And when they marry they are obliged to bring to the Commonalty an equivolent of their Wives Portion, which is kept with the Revenues arising by it for the Survivor. The Husband has power over the life of his Wife and Children.

GALLI CYBILES,

The Priests of the Goddess Cybele. They were called by that name because of a River in Phrygia, the water whereof made those who drank of it mad. These Priests were instituted to offer Sacrifices to this Goddess at the sound of Drums and Kettle-Drums, running up and down like Mad-men, holding Knives in their Hands, and cutting therewith the Flesh of their Arms and Thighs. They went begging from door to door, and were wont to carry their Goddess upon an Ass with their Cloaths. The chief of them was called Archigallus.

GALLUS VIBIUS TREBONI∣ANUS,

An Emperor who succeeded De∣cius, and was chosen by the Soldiers, about the year of Rome 251. He chose his Son Vo∣lusianus for his Colleague to the Empire. The Soldiers murthered them both at Terny in Italy, in the year 254, having reigned then two years.

GALLUS CAESAR

was the Son of Julius Constantius, Brother to Constantine the Great, and of Galla, and Brother to Julian the Apostate. He was carefully brought up and instructed in the Holy Scripture, and took Orders with his Brother, both of them per∣forming the Office of Priest in the Church. The Emperor Constantius chose Gallus his Co∣zen Caesar, in the year 351, the fifteenth day of May, and gave him his Sister Constantina for Wife, then Annibalianus's Widow, and suppressed the superstitious worship of the Oracle of Apollo near Antioch, called Daphnae, and placed the Bones of the Martyr Babylas in the room thereof. But Constantius jealous of him, caused his head to be cut off, three years after he had made him Caesar.

GALLUS,

A young man, Confident of Mars's Love with Venus. Mars having one day commanded him to keep Centry at the door of his Mistriss, lest Vulcan her Husband should surprize them together; this young man fell asleep, and both Venus and Mars were surpriz'd by the Sun lying together, who presently ac∣quainted her Husband with the same; but

Vulcan having some time before hung imper∣ceptible Nets about his Bed, they were both caught therein. And Mars to take his revenge of the young-man, turned him into a Cock. This Fable is thus reported by Lucian in his Dream.

Mars had a fine Boy, confidant of his Love; and when he went to Bed to Venus, he left him at the Door to awake him before day light: the pretty Lad being fallen asleep, the Sun discovered the whole Mystery, and Vulcan caught the two Lovers in his Nets; whereupon Mars out of revenge, turned this young-man into a Cock, who keeps still the Crest of the Head-piece, and the Spurs he had on when he was changed: and since, his posterity, to repair him in his Honour, proclaim the coming of the day.

GANIMEDES.

The Son of Tros King of Troy. Jupiter being transformed into an Eagle, took him away into Heaven for his Beauty, and made him his Cup-bearer instead of Hebe and Vulcan, and delivered him to Mercury, to make him drink Immortality, and teach him how to present the Cup.

GEHENNA,

Rack, Torment. Hieronymus relates the true Origine of this word, when he tells us, there was an Idol of Baal near Je∣rusalem, in the Valley called Tophet, which signifies a Drum, Tympanum, lest the People should hear the cries of the Children that were thrown into the fire, when they sacri∣ficed them unto the Idol. This Valley was also called Ge-ben-Ennon, and by abreviation Geenhon, from Ge, which signifies a Valley, and Ennon, which comes from Naham, that signifies to groan. Some are of opinion that it was Moloch the God of the Ammonites, to whom they sacrificed their own Children. Wherefore Hell, the place of eternal fire, is called Gehenna. The Ancient Writers did not make use of this word, and it was first used in the Gospel.

GEMELLI,

A Constellation, and one of the twelve Signs of the Zodiack, called Castor and Pollux the Sons of Laeda.

GEMONIAE

Scalae, or GEMONIJ Gradus, A Gibbet or Gallows. Vossius upon the Verb gemo tells us, that there was a Well at Rome with Stairs to go down, wherein they did cast the Bodies of Malefactors, hav∣ing dragged them to that place with a Hook. According to the opinion of Suetonius, they are rather Gallows, where they hanged for a while the Corps of the Malefactors, after they had drawn them with a Hook, from the place of Execution to these Gallows; and then drawing them again with a Hook, they cast them into the Tiber; Tandem apud Gemoni∣as minutissimis ictibus excarnificatus atque confectus est, & inde unco tractus in Tiberim. This Histo∣rian seems to intimate that they were tied, there, before they were dead. These Gal∣lows stood in the fourteenth Ward of the City.

GENETHLIUS,

An Epithet given to Jupiter, because Poets represent him presi∣ding over the Generation and Nativities of Children.

GENIUS,

A Divinity, whom ancient Phllosophers esteemed to be the Son of God, and the Father of Men. They allowed a Ge∣nius or Intelligence to each Province, Town and Person, who took care of the Affairs of this World. They allowed also Genius's to Forests, Fountains, Trees, Eloquence, Sciences, and Joy, and it appears by several Medals, particularly one of Nero, GENIO AUGUSTI, GENIO SENATUS, GENIO P. ROMANI, GENIO EXERCITUUM, Upon these Medals the figure of God Genius is represented veiled at the middle of the Body, holding with one hand a Horn of Plenty, and with the other a Cup for the Sacrifice; and before the Sta∣tue there was an Altar, and a Fire thereon. Which agrees with the description that Am∣mianus Marcellinus has given us of the same, in the 25th Book of the Emperor Julianus's Deeds.

Censorinus in his Book intituled de Die Natali, says, that as soon as Men are born, they are put under the tuition of God Genius; and Euclid tells us, that Men have two Genins's, one good and the other bad. Plutarch relates in the life of Brutus, that he saw by night in a Dream a Fantome, by the light of a Lamp that was in his Chamber, and having asked him who he was, he answer'd him, that he was his bad Genius.

Each person offered Sacrifice every year to his Genius, and particularly upon Birth-days, with leven and salted Dough; and some∣times with a Pig two months old, and scattered Flowers and sprinkled Wine to him: and the Sacrifice being over, they made a great Feast for their Friends, and thus the Comedi∣ans was called Genio indulgere, or Genio volupe facere.

In the beginning it was not permitted to swear by the Genius of the Prince; but after∣wards the most solemn Oaths, were those that were sworn by the Genius of the Empe∣ror; and Suetonius assures, that Caligula put many to death, because they refused to swear by his Genius.

Apuleius has writ a Treatise of the Genius or evil Spirit of Socrates. The name of Ge∣nius among some who call themselves Chri∣stians, is given to the good Angels attending Men or States.

The Pagans rank'd Venus, Priapus, and Genius among the number of the Gods, who are intrusted with the care of Men's Genera∣tion.

By these three Divinities, the Heathens un∣derstood nothing else but the fecundity of na∣ture, that brings forth every day so many living Creatures; as Festus says, Genius est Deo∣rum filius & parens hominum, ex quo homines gignuntur; & propterea Genius meus nominatur, quia me genuit; the Genius is the Son of the Gods and the Father of Men, and my Geni∣us is called Genius, because he has begotten me.

This worship was rendered to Nature, not only because of the celestial Intelligence, who presides over our Generation; but also, because of the fecundity of the Stars and Elements, giving Being to so many Crea∣tures.

Censorinus affirms, that there was no bloody Sacrifice offered to Genius; wherefore Persi∣us says, funde merum Genio; for Men would not shed Blood upon their birth-day.

He is called Genius, because he is the God, who is intrusted with the care of Men as soon as they are born. And this Author tells us still, that this Genius never leaves Men, from the first instant of their life to the last; and has a very great Authority over them; and that some Men confounded him with the God Lar, and admitted two Genius's, in Houses where Husband and Wife lived toge∣ther: Eundem esse Genium & Larem multi veteres memoriae prodiderunt; hunc in not maximam, quini∣mo omnem habere potestatem creditum est. Non nulli binos Genios, in its duntaxat domibus quae essent maritae, colendos putaverunt.

The Tabula Caebetis says, that Genius directs those who come into the World the way they should observe; that many forget the Directions; but that yet he gives them warn∣ing, that they are not to mind the Goods of Fortune, which might be taken away from them: Monet Genius id Fortuna esse ingenium, ut & quae dederit, eripiat; and tells them still, that Men, who don't hearken to his precepts, come to a bad end.

GERMANIA.

See after GERMA∣NICUS.

GERMANICUS,

The Son of Dru∣sus, and Nephew to the Emperor Tiberius. He married Agrippina, the Grand-Daughter of Augustus, and had six Children by her, viz. three Sons and three Daughters, Nero, Drusus, Caligula, Agrippina, Drusilla and Livia. In the time he commanded six Legions in Germany, he refused the Empire that the Legions offer∣ed him after the death of Augustus. He took the sirname of Germanicus, because he had sub∣dued Germany, and triumphed over the Ger∣mans; at last he died in Syrla, being poisoned by Piso's order, and was lamented by all the Inhabitants of Syria and Neighbouring Pro∣vinces thereof. A Hero, says Tacitus, wor∣thy of respect, both for his discourse and pre∣sence, whose Fortune was without Envy, his Reputation without blemish, and his Ma∣jestick Countenance without arrogance; his Funeral Pomp, tho' without splendor and great show, was yet Illustrious, only by the commemoration of his Virtues, and celebra∣tion of his Glory.

Some more nicely observing his Life, his Age, his Gate, and the Circumstances of his Death, have compared him to Alexander the Great. Both fine Men, of good meen and great birth, who died something more than thirty years old, by a Conspiracy of their own Men in a foreign Country. Before his Corps was reduced to Ashes, it was exposed in the publick place of Antioch, which was appointed for his Burial. The Senate ordain∣ed great Honours to his Memory; viz. That his Name should be solemnized in the Salian Hymn; that in all the places, where the Priests of Augustus should meet, they should set him an Ivory Chair, and a Crown of Oak upon it; that a Statue of Ivory should be carried for him, at the opening of the Circian Games; that no body should be chosen Au∣gur or Pontiff in his room, but that a Tri∣umphal Arch should be erected to his Memo∣ry at Rome, Mount Amanus in Syria, and on the Banks of the River Rhine, and that his Atchievements should be engraven upon them, with this Inscription, That he Died for the Commonwealth; That a Monument should be fet up for him in the City of Antioch, where his Corps was burnt, and a Tribunal at Epi∣daphne, where he was dead. They ordered also his Picture, drawn in a golden Shield of an extraordinary bigness, should be set up amongst the Orators. The Squadron of the Youth was called by Equestrian Order, the Squadron of Germanicus; and they ordered, that at the Ides of July, his Effigies should be carried in State at the muster of the Equestri∣an Order.

GERMANIA,

Germany: Some Wri∣ters say that the word of Germany is but of late, and comes from those Men who went first into the Gauls, and were called Tungri or Germani, says Tacitus; or from the German word Gaar-Mannen, which signifies Germany. V. Alemannia.

GERMANI,

The Germans. See Ale∣manni.

GERYON,

King of Spain, represent∣ed by Poets with three Bodies, because he reigned over three Kingdoms, and had fed some Oxen he loved very much, having a

Dog with three Heads, and a Dragon with seven to look after them. Hercules by the Command of Earisteus slew him, and deliver∣ed his Body to be devoured by his own Oxen, as Diomedes was before eaten by his own Horses.

GIGANTES,

The Giants, the Sons of the Earth, begot, according to the Fable, of the Blood that came out of the Genital parts of Goelus, that Saturn cut off; for the Earth, to be revenged of Jupiter, who had struck down the Titans, brought forth Mon∣sters of a prodigious shape to attack him, and drive him out of Heaven. To this purpose they met in Thessalia, in the Fields called Phle∣graei, and there heaping up Mountains upon Mountains, they scaled and battered Heaven with great pieces of Rocks. Among others there was Enceladus, Briareus and Egcon, with a hundred Hands flinging Rocks, which they took out of the Sea, against Jupiter; yet a cer∣tain Typhaeus was very famous, exceeding all these Monsters in bigness and strength; for he reached with his Head to the top of Hea∣ven, and could extend his Hands from one end of the World to the other; he was half Man and half Serpent, and blew Fire and Flame out of his Mouth in a dreadful man∣ner; and frighted so much the Gods, who were come to the relief of Jupiter, that they fled away into Egypt, and transform'd them∣selves into several kinds of Trees, or dis∣guised themselves under the form of several Beasts. But Jupiter pursued them so vigo∣rously with his Thunderbolts, that he came off with Honour, and crushed them under the weight of Mountains, shutting them up therein, and punishing them in Hell with se∣veral Torments. This is the Fable, here is the true Story.

The Fable of the Giants, who heaped up Mountains one upon another, to raise them∣selves to Heaven, there to fight the Gods, is most commonly applied to those Men, who after the Flood built the Tower of Babel. But holy Scripture speaks of the Giants a long time before the Deluge, Gen. c. 6. There were Giants on the Earth in those days.

And in another place 'tis spoken of the pro∣digious stature of the Giants, or rather of those Men, whom the Scripture calls Giants even after the Flood; For the Israelites having seen some of them, described them thus; All the People whom we saw in the land, are Men of great Stature, and there we saw Giants, the Sons of Anak, which are of the Race of the Giants, and we appeared to them like Grashoppers, and so we were in comparison of them: And to shew us the extraordinary height and shape of the Giants, Moses tells us in Deuteronomy, that an Iron Bed of these Giants was nine Cubits long, and four Cubits broad, according to the natural length of a Man's Cubit, which is a Foot and a half: Only Og King of Bashan remained of the Race of the Giants: his Bedsted was of Iron, it is in Rabbah of the Children of Ammon, being nine Cubits long, and four Cubits broad, according to a Mans Cubit.

According to this description that the Scrip∣ture gives us of these Giants, they might be about fourteen foot high. Solinus relates, that tho the common opinion is, that the Stature of a Man can't be above seven foot high, and that Hercules did not exceed it, yet in the Reign of Augustus, Pusio and Secundilla were more than ten foot high: and in the Emperor Claudius's time, the Corps of Gabbara was brought from Arabia, and was near ten foot high: and that the Corps of Orestes being found after his death, was seven Cubits long.

The Giants before the Deluge, were be∣gotten by the Children of God, and Daugh∣ters of Men; and the Hebrew Text makes use of the word Nephilim, to express the Giants, which comes from Nephal, i. e. to fall.

The Giants after the Deluge are also called by the same name, because of their likeness to the former; however, they are called by a particular name, which may be observed in the Books of Numbers and Deuteronomy, where they are called the Sons of Enacim: Palastine was their Country.

The learned Bochart observes, that from the Hebrew word Enacim or Anacim, the Greeks have formed their words 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which originally signified Men of Gigantick Stature.

Pausanias relates, that the Body of the Hero Asterius the Son of Anax, who was the Son of the Earth, was found in the Isle Aste∣ria near Miletum; and that his Corps was ten Cubits in length. This Stature of ten Cubits agrees with that mentioned in the Scripture. The word Anax is the same with Enac or Anac; for it is well known that the change of Vow∣els is frequent, even in the same Tongue. In fine, if Anac or Enac was the Son of the Earth, it was common to call the Giants the Children of the Earth. And Ovid tells us, that they were so called, because they came out of the Earth, moistened with the blood of their Fathers, whom a just revenge had destroyed.

The Septuagints Translation has given the name of Giant to Nimrod, who first reigned at Babylon. The Hebrew Text signifies only Po∣tens venator, Gibbor Tsaid; but the same word Gibbarim is used, to signifie the Giants cal∣led also Nephilim. Wherefore the Scripture says, that Nimrod was the first Giant, because he was at the head of the rebellion of the

Giants after the Deluge, who were combined together for the building of the Tower of Babel.

The Greeks have sometimes called the Gi∣ants by the name of Titans, which shews that they had this History, and the Fables con∣tained in it, from the Scripture and out of Palestine; for the word Tit signifies dirt in He∣brew; and they tell us, that the Giants were formed out of the Dirt or Earth. Where∣fore these three words Titanes, Gigantes, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, have the same signification, and signifie the Children of the Earth. Diodorns Siculus, unfolding the Theology of those who Inhabit the Coasts of the Atlantick Sea, says, that ac∣cording to their opinion, the Titans were the Children of Uranus and Titaea, who gave them her Name, and called herself the Earth: Gommune Titanum nomen à Titaeâ matre usurpa∣bant: Titaea autem post mortem in Deos relata, Telluris nomen accipit. These Giants were Chil∣dren of Heaven and Earth, and their name of Titans came either from the Earth or Dirt, called by the Hebrews Tit. And these Giants being born before the Deluge, the Pagans, who had but an imperfect knowledge of their History, did not know their true Geneology, wherefore they made them Children of Ura∣nus and Titea, i. e. of Heaven and Earth.

Diodorus Siculus tells us also, that Phrygia, Macedonia and Italy had their Giants, be∣cause of the Fires that are burning in those Countries. The occasion seem'd very fair to the contrivers of Fables, to say, that in all these places, the Giants were still burning in those Flames, that Thunder, to revenge Heaven, had kindled there to punish their Crimes. Justin speaking of the Tartesians of Spain, shews there the place where the Titans engaged the Gods.

Pausanias confirms this opinion, speaking of Arcadia, and of a place where the Fire comes out of the Earth, and tells us that the Arcaaians affirm'd, that the Giants had en∣gaged the Gods in that very place: where∣fore, they offered there an Anniversary Sa∣crifice to Thunder and Storms.

Then this Historian examining the opi∣nion of Homer and Hesiod upon the subject of Giants, says, that Homer has not mentioned the Giants in his Illiads, but only in his Odysses, where he represents the Nation called Lestrygones like Giants, attacking the Fleet of Ulysses.

Hesiod in his Theogonia speaking of the Chaos, and producing out of it not only all the Bo∣dies of the Universe, both Beasts and Men, but even Gods themselves, then he mentions the Children of Heaven and Earth.

Virgil in the first Book of his Georgicks, imi∣tates Hesiod, holding the fifth day of the Moon fatal, because upon that day the Earth brought forth the Giants. He has also imita∣ted him, when he has ascribed to each of these Giants an hundred Hands, an hundred Shields, and fifty Mouths to blow out tor∣rents of Fire. In another place he represents the violent efforts and motions of Enceladus, who lies buried alive under Mount Aetna.

Horace has left us a very fine description of the war and defeat of the Giants; and Clau∣dian says, that the shakings and Flames of Mount Aetna, are glorious and eternal proofs of the triumphal Power and Justice of God over the Giants.

Aetna Giganteos nunquam tacitura triumphos, Enceladi bustum.

Bochart and Vossius are of opinion, that the Giant Og, recorded in Scripture, whom I have mentioned before, is Typhon or Typhaeus, de∣scribed by the Poets, the Hebrew word Og, and the Greek 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 having the same signification, i. e. to burn: And Virgil affirms, that Ty∣phon was struck with Thunder in Syria.

—Durumque cubile Inarime, Jovis imperiis imposta Typhaeo. Aeneid. lib. 9.

Virgil follows Homer's opinion, who says, that Typhaeus was struck with Thunder in Sy∣ria, called in the Scripture Aram, and by profane Writers Aramaea. These are Homer's words, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, in Aremis, ubi dicunt Typhaei esse cubilia.

GLADIATORES,

The Gladiators, who fought in the Circian Games, and at the Funerals of the great Men of Rome, one a∣gainst the other, even to the loss of their Lives, to give this cruel Diversion to the People, or to pacifie the Ghosts of their Kindred.

The origine of these bloody Fights, came from the Ancient Inhabitants of Asia, who fancied that they very much honoured their Relations, by spilling humane blood with a brutish diversion. This superstition grew so great among the Trojans, that Women cut themselves to get our some blood, to sprinkle upon the Graves or the Wood-pile of the Dead. Junius Brutus, was the first Man a∣mong the Romans, who performed these bar∣barous Duties to his Father; and we learn from Tacitus, that Tiberius to honour the me∣mory of his Ancestors, ordered two Fights of Gladiators, one in the great publick place, and the other in the Amphitheater.

Those who made a trade of that brutish fu∣ry, were always esteem'd of no worth; for besides, that these Fights began at first by Slaves, who were miserably wretched, and left

to their ill destiny; those Men who were taught that Art and were brought to it, ne∣ver got any reputation by it; and to their great shame, Malefactors were brought a∣mong them, as Victims devoted to the di∣version of the People, and sacrificed to their Madness, as to the fury of Wild-Beasts.

But tho the Infamy was equal, yet the for∣tune was very different; for the Slaves made by War had no hopes left them. Malefactors were still used worse, for they were expos'd to the wild Beasts, and sometimes tied to posts to feed the Lions, and to secure their punishments against the hazards of a vigorous defence. Men brought up and chosen for Gladiators, because of their good meen and strength, were not only well used, but also well taught in the Science of Defence, and nothing was spared to keep them in good health and strength, to contribute the better to the diversion of the people.

Pliny tells us, that they were fed with Barly-Bread, wherefore they were called in jest Hordiarij, and that their Drink was Water with Ashes mixt with it; but this is not pro∣bable. There were many Families of these Gladiators. Some were called Sequatores, Re∣tearii, Threces, Myrmillones, Hoplomachi, Samnites, Essedarii, Andabatae, Dimachaeri, Meridiani, Fis∣cales, Postulatitij.

The first were armed with a Sword and a Club, in the end whereof was Lead.

The second carried a Net and a Trident, and endeavoured to enclose their Antagonist with it.

The third had a kind of a Hanger or Scy∣metar, and were called by the name of their Country.

The fourth, called Mermillones instead of Mermidones, were the Heroes of Achilles, whom the Romans accounted to be Gauls, wearing a Fish on the top of their Helmet. The Gla∣diator Retiarius or Net-bearer pursuing him, cried out, non te peto Galle, sed piscem peto.

The fifth were armed all over, as the Greek word signifies.

The sixth had their name from their hatred to the Samnites, who armed the Gladiators ac∣cording to their fashion.

The seventh fought riding in Chariots, and were called Essedarii.

The eighth fought on Horseback and blind∣fold, and took their name from their way of Fighting.

The ninth fought holding two Swords in their hands, from whence they are called Di∣macheri, a Greek word, which signifies two Swords.

The tenth were those who had been ex∣pos'd to wild Beasts, and having got clear of them, were obliged to kill one another to di∣vert the People.

The eleventh had their name from Fiscus the Exchequer, because they were maintained at the publick charges.

The twelfth were the most valiant of all, and appointed for the Emperor's diversion, wherefore the people beg often that they might be ordered to fight.

All these Gladiators did their best to kill their Adversary, or to dye valiantly, and bravely defended their life.

After they had well acquitted themselves of their duty, they obtained of the Emperors, and those who gave the Games, either their discharge or freedom, or some considerable reward.

The discharge granted unto them, was on∣ly a dispensation from fighting or serving, otherwise but willingly or out of compli∣ance; and for a Token thereof, they gave them a Switch called Rudis; Rudae dmo∣bantur.

They gave them also a kind of a Hat cal∣led Pileatie, for a badge of their freedom granted to them.

Constantius, and after him the Emperors Ar∣cadius and Honorius forbad these Fights.

GLAUCUS

Ponticus, a Fisherman of the Town of Anthedon, who having once caught abundance of Fish, and laid them on the Bank, perceiving that these Fishes having touch'd a kind of Herb that was upon the shore, received new strength, and leapd again into the Sea; which Glaucus perceiving, tasted of the Herb himself, and presently leapt into the Sea after them, where he was transform∣ed into a Triton, and became one of the Sea Gods. Pausanias calls Glaucus the Genius of the Sea.

Paliphatus relates this otherwise, and says that Glaucus was a Fisherman, and an excel∣lent Diver, who to get the name of being a God, threw himself often in sight of all the people, from the top of a great Rock into the Sea, and appeared further off; then at last stole himself quite from the sight of Men, and retired on some remote shore, from whence he came again some days after, and perswaded the people that he had conversed with the Gods of the Sea, and related extra∣ordinary things of them. But in fine, being lost in the Waters of the Sea, the People per∣swaded themselves he was become a God. Some say that he was turned into a Fish, other into a Sea Monster, and some others affirm, like Philostratus in his description of Glaucus Ponticus, that he was half Man, and half Fish.

Hyginus records, that Glaucus was much lo∣ved by Circe, but he despised her, and yet he fell in love with Scylla. Whereupon Ciru transported with jealousy, turned Scylla into a

Monster, having poisoned the waters where she was used to bath herself, as Homer has describ'd it in the twelfth Book of his Odysses.

There was also another of that name, who was Grandson to Bellerophon, and came to the Trojan's relief, and shew'd a great folly in his conduct, having exchang'd his Golden Ar∣mour for that of Diomedes, which were of Brass. From whence 'tis said in a proverbial way, to shew an inequal change, 'tis the ex∣change of Glaucus and Diomedes.

GNOMONICE,

The Art of making Sun dials, so called from the Greek word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which signifies to shew, because the Gnomon is a stile or a Needle, which by its shadow shews the Hours, the elevation of the Sun, and the Sign wherein he is.

GOMER,

The Father of the Italians and Gauls, under several names of Gallus and Ogyges, and was the eldest Son of Japhet. The Babylonians took him for the Grandfather of Ninus, though he was but his Grand-Unkle. Some are of opinion that he is Saturn. He came into Italy in the year 1879, à mundo condito, the 2539 of the Julian period, and 2175 years before the birth of our Lord, and populated the Islands of the Mediterranean Sea, Greece, Italy and Gallia. He taught Religion to his people, as he had receiv'd it of Japhet and Noah.

GORDIANUS,

and his Son were both chosen Emperors in Africa, and the Se∣nate approved of their Election, but they did not enjoy long that honour; for the Father was too old to be serviceable to the Com∣monwealth, being then fourscore years of age; and though his Son was but forty six years old, yet he was not able to defend the Empire against Capellianus Prefect of Mauri∣tania.

Gordianus was the Richest and the most magnificent of the Romans. During his Quae∣storship he order'd Games of vast charges to be represented every month to the people. He had a Park well stock'd with all kinds of fallow Dear, procured from all parts of the World, and appointed a publick hunting day, where every Man carried away the Game he had kill'd.

Gordianus junior, Grandson to Gordianus who died in Africa, was raised to the Empire at sixteen years of age. He gave the Office of Prefect of the Praetory to Philip a Man of low extraction, who soon forgot his Benefactor's kindness; for he caused him to be murthered on the Frontiers of Persia, where he pursued Sapor, who had invaded Syria.

GORGONES.

Hesiod in his Theogonia, and Hyginus say, that the Gorgones were three Sisters, Daughters to Phocus a Sea-God, who had all three but one eye, serving them all by turns. They had great Wings, and their Head attired with Adders, their Teeth were like the Tusks of Wild-Boar's, coming out of their mouth, and were armed with sharp and crooked Claws. They were named Stenyo, i. e. strong, mighty; Medusa, i. e. care of the State; and Euryale, i. e. having command upon the at Sea. Perseus being covered with the shield of Minerva cut off Medusa's head, which was placed in the shield of Minerva, the sight whereof is mortal, and turns into stones those who look at it, as it befel Atlas.

Fulgentius relates after Theocritus an ancient Historiographer, that King Phorcus left three very rich Daughters; that Medusa the eldest and most powerful was called Gorgon, because she applyed herself very much to manure the ground; that a Serpents head was ascri∣bed to her, because of her prudence; and that Perseus attack'd her with his Fleet, (from whence Poets represent him wing∣ed) seized upon her Dominion and kill'd her; and took away her Head, viz. her Strength and Riches, which he made use of to subdue the Kingdom of Atlas, whom he put to flight; and having forced him to re∣tire into the Mountains, from whence it is said he was metamorphos'd into a Mountain.

GRACCHUS,

A Sirname of the Sempronian Family, the off-spring of so many Illustrious Romans who supported the People against the Nobility; as Tiberius Gracchus, who got the Agrarian Law to be received, and distributed to the Romans the Riches that King Attalus had left him by his last Will; and Caius Gracchus, who added to the Senate three hundred Men of the Equestrian Order, to ad∣minister Justice.

GRAECIA,

&c. See after Gratiae.

GRATIAE.

The Graces in the time of the Pagans were three fabulous Goddesses represented young and naked, attending Ve∣nus, called Aglaia, Thalia and Euphrosine, Daugh∣ters of Jupiter, and Mercury's Companions. They were also named Charites.

GRAECIA,

Greece, so called from King Graecus, who succeeded Cecrops, who com∣manded only in Attica, which was one of the fine Countries of Europe, called Hellas.

Ancient Writers have severally set the bounds of this Country; yet 'tis commonly agreed, that it is bounded by the Ionian Sea at the West, by Libya at the South, the Aege∣an Sea or Archipelagus at the East, and at the Mountains which divide it from Thracia, up∣per Mysia and Dalmatia.

Greece contains four great Provinces; viz. Macedonia, Epirus, Achaia, Peloponnesus, toge∣ther with all the Islands of the Ionlan Sea. They also join to it that part of Italy, which

was formerly called Great Greece, now Cala∣bria superiour. This Country exceeded all the Countries of Europe, for its temperature, good air, and plenty of all kinds of Fruits. The most famous Cities of Greece were Athens, Lacedemonia, Delphos, Argos, Mycene, Corinth. There were those Mountains, so famous in the Writings of the Poets, viz. Athos, Olym∣pus, Pelion, Parnassus, Helicon, Cytheron. Greece is esteemed the Mother of Arts and Sciences, that her Inhabitants had learnt of the Assyrians and Chaldaeans. She was conquered by Cyrus, and afterwards by the other Kings of Parsia.

After the death of Perseus the last King of Greece, the Romans subdued that Country.

GRAECI,

The Greeks, the Inhabitants of Greece, who are differently named by Wri∣ters Achaij, Argivi, Danai, Dolopes, Helleni, Io∣nij, Mermidones, Pelasgi, according to the Cities they inhabited, and their several Facti∣ons.

Eusebius affirms, that Hellen the Son of Deu∣calion, repopulated this Country after the De∣luge, that happened in the time of Moses, about the year 3680. à mundo condito. They very much improved Arts and Sciences, that they learned of Eumolpus and Orphaeus, the Assyrians and Phaenicians. The Greeks increased the num∣ber of Gods, and shared the Empire and Ad∣ministration of the World, appointing seve∣ral Gods for Corn and Vines, to Plants and Flowers; which gave occasion for all the chimerical divisions of Gods, relating imagi∣nary particulars of them, and giving them names, without any other ground, but their own vanity and presumption.

The Phaenicians having disguised the true Histories of the Bible, and composed their Fables of it, the Greeks also appropriated the Phaenicians Fables to Greece.

Pliny affirms, that Cadmus, about the year 2520 à mundo condito, brought from Phaenicia sixteen Letters into Greece; viz. A, B, C, D E, F, G, H, I, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, V, to which Palamedes added four, during the Trojan War, O, Z, φ, X.

GRAECOSTASIS,

A, Palace at Rome, adjoining to Mount Palatine, where the foreign Prince's Ambassadors were lodg∣ed. This Palace took its name from Greece, because the Greeks were the most considerable of all the Strangers; the House of the Am∣bassadours.

GRATIAE

See above, before Graecia.

GUTTUS,

A little Vessel used in Sa∣crifices, to pour Wine by drops

GYGES,

A Lydian, who killed his Ma∣ster by a Ring that made him invisible, by turning the stone within towards himself, for then he could see all, and was seen of none, Ovid mentions another Gyges, a Giant who had a hundred hands, Son to Heaven and Earth, and Brother to Briareus.

Centimanumque Gygen, semibovemque virum. 4. Trist.

GYNAECONITIS,

An Apartment for the Women in Greece.

GYMNICI LUDI.

Exercises of the Greeks.

In these Games, there was in the first place the Race, which has been of old, and the chief of all Exercises; secondly, leaping; thirdly, Discus or Quoits, made of Stone, Iron or Brass, cut in a round figure, and of a great weight, the Gamesters who threw it highest or furthest carried the Prize; the fourth kind of Game was wrestling, wherein two Wrest∣lers, having their Bodies stark naked, and anointed all over with Oyl, took hold one on another, each of them making all his efforts to throw his Adversary on the ground; the fifth sort of Game was boxing, these Gamesters had their Fists covered with Lea∣ther Straps, with pieces of Lead or Iron fast∣ned to it, called Cestus. Lucian speaks of these Games in the Dialogue of the bodily Exer∣cises, where he introduces Anacharsis discour∣sing thus with Solen.

Anacharsis.

What mean these young fellows, thus to collar and foyl themselves, and wallow in the mire like Swine, and strive to throttle and hinder one anothers breathing? they oyled and shaved one another pretty peaceably at first, but on a sudden stooping with their Heads, they butted each other like Rams: Then the one hoisting his Adversary aloft into the air, hurls him again upon the ground, with a violent squelsh, and falling upon him, he hindered him from rising, pressing his neck with his elbow, and punch∣ing him with his legs, so as I was afraid he had stifled him, though the other struck him on the shoulder, to desire him to let him go, as owning himself overcome. Me∣thinks they should be shie of fouling them∣selves thus in the dirt, after they had been steek'd; and they make me laugh to see them like so many Eels, slip out of the hands of their Antagonists. Look yonder's some doing the same in the face of the Sun, with this difference only, that it's in the Sun they rowl, like Cocks before they come to the skirmish, that their Adversary may have the better hold, and his hands not slip upon the Oyl or the Sweat. O see you others also fighting in the Dirt, and kicking and fisting, without endeavouring (like the former) to throw one another. The one spits out of his Teeth with sand and blood, from a blow he receiv'd in his

Chaps, and yet that Officer attir'd in pur∣ple, who sets President, as I suppose, at these Exercises, doth not trouble himself a∣bout parting them. These others make the Dust fly, by kicking up their Heels in the air, like those who dispute for the prize of running.

Solon.

This here is the place of Exercises, and the Temple of Apollo Lycius, whose Statue you see upon that Column, in the posture of a weary Man, leaning upon his Elbow, having his Head supported up∣on his right hand, and holding his Bow in the left. Those whom you see wallowing in the mire, or crawling in the dirt, are skirmishing at a match of Wrestling, or at Fisticuffs in the Ring or Lists. There are still other Exercises, as Leaping, Quoits, and Fencing, and in all such Games the conqueror is crowned.

These Games were play'd four times every year; viz. at Olympia in the Province of Elis, wherefore they were called Olympick Games, in honour of Jupiter Olympius; in the Isthmus of Corinth, called Isthmian Games, in honour of Neptune; in the Nemean Forest, cal∣led Nemean Games, in honour of Hercules; and the Pythean Games, in honour of Apollo, be∣cause he had kill'd the Serpent Pytho. The Masters of these Games were call'd Gymnastae. I shall speak severally of these Games, ac∣cording to their Alphabetick Order.

GYMNO SOPHISTAE.

Gymno∣sophists, a Sect of Indian Philosophers, who ador'd the Sun, and were called by this name, because they went naked.