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Scipio

(Encyclopedia)Scipio sĭpˈēō [key], ancient Roman family of the Cornelian gens. They were patricians. During the 3d and 2d cent. b.c. they were distinguished by their love of Greek culture and learning. Their we...

Caesar, Julius

(Encyclopedia)Caesar, Julius (Caius Julius Caesar), 100? b.c.–44 b.c., Roman statesman and general. Caesar has always been one of the most controversial characters of history. His admirers have seen in him the ...

tribune

(Encyclopedia)tribune, in ancient Rome, one of various officers. The history of the office of tribune is closely associated with the struggle of the plebs against the patrician class to achieve a more equitable pos...

Lucrece

(Encyclopedia)Lucrece lo͞okrēˈshə [key], in Roman legend, Roman matron, illustrious for her virtue. She was the victim of rape by Sextus, son of Tarquinius Superbus. Having enjoined her husband, Lucius Tarquini...

Johnson, Eastman

(Encyclopedia)Johnson, Eastman, 1824–1906, American portrait and genre painter, b. Lovell, Maine. He studied with a lithographer in Boston and later in Düsseldorf, then for almost four years at The Hague, where ...

Paullus, Aemilius

(Encyclopedia)Paullus, Aemilius (Lucius Aemilius Paullus Macedonicus) ēmĭlˈēəs [key], c.229–160 b.c., Roman general. He was curule aedile (193 b.c.), praetor (191), and consul (182). In his consulship he con...

Samnites

(Encyclopedia)Samnites sămˈnīts [key], people of ancient Italy. Their country was Samnium. The Samnites were Oscan-speaking and therefore should be included among the Sabelli. The Tabula Agnonensis, a bronze tab...

Scaevola

(Encyclopedia)Scaevola (Quintus Mucius Scaevola), d. 82 b.c., Roman jurist. He was tribune of the people (106 b.c.) and consul (95 b.c.) with Lucius Licinius Crassus (see under Crassus, family); together they colla...

senate, Roman

(Encyclopedia)senate, Roman, governing council of the Roman republic. It was the outgrowth of the council of the kings. By the 3d cent. b.c. the senate was a group of 300 men with a high degree of political, legisl...

Piso

(Encyclopedia)Piso pīˈsō [key], distinguished family of the ancient Roman gens Calpurnia. One of the best-known members was Lucius Calpurnius Piso Caesoninus, d. after 43 b.c., father-in-law of Julius Caesar. As...