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.

HERM-ATHENAE,

Were Statues set upon square feet like the Hermae; but repre∣sented Mercury and Minerva, this word being compounded of Hermae and Athenae, which signifies these two Divinities. Pomponius At∣ticus having found at Athens one of these rare Statues, writes to his Friend Tully, that he would send it to him to adorn his Library. And Tully answers him thus, Epist. 3. l. 1.

What you write of the Herm-Athenae is very acceptable to me, and I have appointed an honourable place for them in my Academy, whereof it shall be the Ornament; seeing that Mercury is the general protector of all Academies, and Minerva presides particu∣larly over mine. Wherefore you can't ob∣lige me more sensibly, then to procure

me these kind of Rarities to adorn this place.

'Tis no wonder to see Mercury and Minerva joyned together in this Statue; for it was usual to keep Holy-days and offer Sacrifices that were common to them both, because one presided over Eloquence, and the other the Sciences; and that Eloquence without Erudition is but a meer sound; and Learn∣ing without Eloquence, but an unprofitable Treasure. Therefore the Athenians, who were the most Learned, most Eloquent and most Valiant Men in the world, did wisely to erect and dedicate this figure of Hermathcna.

This Hermathena is the reverse of a Medal dedicated to Adrian, who boasted of his Learning and Eloquence.