Columbia Encyclopedia

Search results

263 results found

Patkul, Johann Reinhold von

(Encyclopedia)Patkul, Johann Reinhold von yōˈhän rīnˈhôlt fən pätˈko͝ol [key], 1660–1707, Livonian nobleman. He incurred the wrath of Charles XI of Sweden by championing the rights of the Livonian gentr...

Iphigenia

(Encyclopedia)Iphigenia ĭfˌəjənīˈə [key], in Greek legend, daughter of Clytemnestra and Agamemnon. When the Greek ships were delayed by contrary winds at Aulis en route to the Trojan War, Calchas informed Ag...

Julia

(Encyclopedia)Julia, feminine name in the Julian gens. 1 Died 54 b.c., daughter of Julius Caesar and wife of Pompey. By her grace and tact she maintained the bond between her father and her husband. After her death...

Livia Drusilla

(Encyclopedia)Livia Drusilla lĭvˈēə dro͞osĭlˈə [key], c.55 b.c.–a.d. 29, Roman matron; mother of the Roman emperor Tiberius. She first married Tiberius Claudius Nero. Tiberius was his son. In 38 b.c., Aug...

Brühl, Heinrich, Graf von

(Encyclopedia)Brühl, Heinrich, Graf von hīnˈrĭkh gräfˈ fən brül [key], 1700–1763, Saxon statesman. He was adviser to Augustus II, king of Poland and elector of Saxony, and gained control of both governmen...

Varus

(Encyclopedia)Varus (Publius Quinctilius Varus) vârˈəs [key], d. a.d. 9, Roman general. In 13 b.c. he was consul with Tiberius Claudius Nero (later emperor as Tiberius) and later was governor of Syria. Although ...

Marcellus

(Encyclopedia)Marcellus märsĕlˈəs [key], principal plebeian family of the ancient Roman gens Claudia. Marcus Claudius Marcellus, c.268–208 b.c., was consul five times. In his first consulship he fought (222) ...

Ptolemy XV

(Encyclopedia)Ptolemy XV (Ptolemy Caesarion), 47–30 b.c., son of Cleopatra and (almost certainly) Julius Caesar. He became joint ruler with his mother, but played no role in the great and tragic events that broug...

Browse by Subject