PREFACE. THE present work is designed to supply a want that has been long felt by most persons engaged in classical tuition. Hitherto we have had no work in the English language which exhibited, in a form adapted to the use of young pupils, the results of the labours of modern scholars in the various subjects included under the general term of Greek and Roman Antiquities. The "Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities" is intended for the more advanced student, and contains, moreover, information on a vast variety of subjects, which is not required by those who are commencing their classical studies. It has therefore been supposed, that an Abridgement of that work, illustrating the Greek and Roman writers usually read in the lower classes of our public schools, and omitting all such matters as are of no use to the young student, might prove an acceptable addition to our school-literature. In fact, the Abridgement was undertaken at the suggestion of the head-master of one of our great public schools, and no pains have been spared to adapt it to the class of persons for whom it is more especially intended. Conciseness and clearness have been chiefly studied; all discussions on doubtful and controverted subjects have been omitted; and such of the articles as are susceptible of it have been illustrated by woodcuts from ancient works of art. Though this work has been drawn up chiefly for the use of the lower forms in our public schools, the wants of another class of persons have also been consulted. It is believed that the work will be found to be of no small assistance to those who have not studied the Greek and Roman writers, but who frequently need information on many points connected with Greek and Roman Antiquities. Care reader; and it is therefore hoped, that most of the articles may be read with advantage and profit by persons who are unacquainted with the classical writers. It should be borne in mind, that this work does not profess to give an abridged account of all the subjects which are comprised in the larger work. On many matters, such as those relating to Jurisprudence, and several departments of Art, the reader must refer for information to the other Dictionary. On many subjects likewise, which are contained in this Abridgement, only the most important facts are stated; those who desire more detailed information, and an account of the conflicting views held by modern scholars on certain points, must consult the original work. In such cases the present work will serve as a convenient introduction to the other, and will enable the student to use the latter with more advantage and profit than he would otherwise have been able to do. It has been considered unnecessary to give in this Abridgement references to ancient and modern writers, as they are not required by the class of persons for whose use the book is designed, and they are to be found in the original work. London, May 20th, 1845. WILLIAM SMITH. SCHOOL-DICTIONARY OF GREEK AND ROMAN ANTIQUITIES. A'BACUS (6α§), denoted primarily a square tablet of any description, and was hence employed in the following signifi cations: · - 1. A table, or side-board, chiefly used for the display of gold and silver cups, and other kinds of valuable and ornamental utensils. The use of abaci was first introduced at Rome from Asia Minor after the victories of Cn. Manlius Vulso, B. c. 187, and their introduction was regarded as one of the marks of the growing luxury of the age. 2. A draught-board or chess-board. 3. A board used by mathematicians for drawing diagrams, and by arithmeticians for the purposes of calculation. 4. In architecture, the flat square stone which constituted the highest member of a column, being placed immediately under the architrave. ABOLLA, a cloak chiefly worn by soldiers, and thus opposed to the toga, the garb of peace. [TOGA.] The abolla was used by the lower classes at Rome, and consequently by the philosophers who affected severity of manners and life. ABOLLA, MILITARY CLOAK. ABACUS, ABROGA'TIO. [LEX.] ACA TIUM (άкáтiov, a diminutive of ǎкaтos), a small vessel or boat used by the Greeks, which appears to have been the B |