=Cic´ero, M. T.=, born at Arpinum, was son of a Roman knight and lineally
descended from the ancient kings of the Sabines. In youth he displayed
many abilities, and was taught philosophy by Philo, and law by Mutius
Scævola. He applied himself with great diligence to the study of
oratory, and was distinguished above all the speakers of his time in the
Roman forum. He signalized himself in opposing Catiline, whom he
publicly accused of treason against the State, and whom he drove from
the city. After a number of vicissitudes of fortune he was assassinated,
B.C. 43, at the age of sixty-three.
=Cincinna´tus, L. Q.= A celebrated Roman, who was informed, as he plowed
in the fields, that the senate had chosen him to be dictator. On this he
left the plow and repaired to the field of battle, where his countrymen
were opposed by the Volsci and Æqui. He conquered the enemy, and entered
Rome in triumph.
=Cir´ce.= A daughter of Sol and Perseis, celebrated for her knowledge of
magic and venomous herbs. She was carried by her father to an island
called Æaea. Ulysses, on his return from the Trojan war, visited her
coasts, and his companions were changed, by her potions, into swine.
Ulysses, who was fortified against enchantments by an herb which he had
received from Mercury, demanded of Circe the restoration of his
companions to their former shape; she complied with his wishes, and
eventually permitted him to depart from her island.
=Claudia´nus.= A celebrated poet, in the age of Honorius, who is
considered by some writers to equal Virgil in the majestic character of
his style.
=Clau´dius, T. Drusus Nero=, son of Drusus, became emperor of Rome after
the death of Caligula. He went to Britain, and obtained a triumph for
victories achieved by his generals. He suffered himself to be governed
by favorites, whose avarice plundered the State and distracted the
provinces. He was poisoned by Agrippina, who wished to raise her son
Nero to the throne.
=Cleopa´tra=, queen of Egypt, daughter of Ptolemy Auletes, was celebrated
for her beauty. Antony became enamored of her and married her, ignoring
his connection with Octavia, the sister of Augustus. He gave her the
greatest part of the eastern provinces of the Roman empire. This caused
a rupture between Augustus and Antony, and these two famous men met at
Actium, when Cleopatra, by flying with sixty ships, ruined the battle
for Antony, and he was defeated. Cleopatra destroyed herself by applying
an asp to her breast.
=Cli´o.= The first of the Muses, daughter of Jupiter and Mnemosyne. She
presided over history.
=Cloaci´na.= A goddess at Rome who presided over the Cloacæ, which were
large receptacles for the filth of the whole city.
=Clo´tho=, the youngest of the three Parcæ, who were daughters of Jupiter
and Themis, was supposed to preside over the moment of birth. She held
the distaff in her hand and spun the thread of life.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account