when he wrote it, or, at least, when he supposes it to have been held in his presence. This point of time is clearly determined in the 17th chapter; it was the sixth year of the reign of Vespasian, A.D. 75. Tacitus at this period would be about sixteen years of age. From what has been said then, it will be perceived that, as far as chronology is concerned, nothing prevents our regarding Tacitus as the author of the dia. logue in question. It is true, we find a marked difference between the style of the writer of this dialogue and that of the historian; but would not the intervening period of forty years sufficiently account for this discrepance, and the language of the man be different from the tone of early youth? Might not, too, the same writer have varied his style in order to adapt it to different subjects? Ought he not to assimilate it to the various characters who bear a part in the dialogue? Induced by these and other reasons, Pithou, Dodwell, Schulze, and many others, have giv en their opinion in favour of our adhering to the titles of the manuscripts, and have ascribed the dialogue to Tacitus. Rhenanus was the first who entertained doubts respecting the claim of Tacitus to the authorship of this production, and since his time, Dousa, Stephens, Freinshemius, and others no less celebrated, have contended that Quintilian, not Tacitus, must be regarded as the true writer of the work. They place great reliance on two passages of Quintilian, where that writer says expressly that he had composed a separate treatise on the causes of the corruption of eloquence (Inst. Or., 6, 8, 6), as well as on many other passages in which this same work is cited, without the author's indicating the title. How can we suppose, it is asked, that either Tacitus or Pliny would be inclined to treat of a subject which had al

manner, and, it may be added, the omissions of the | ter, that he was a very young man (juvenis admodum) copyists, have occasioned some difficulties; but he who has made himself familiar with the peculiarities of his style will not be much embarrassed. But still it may be said that, in so long a work, one continued strain of studied brevity fatigues the ear, and tires the reader by an unvaried and disgusting monotony. Variety, it must be admitted, would give new graces to the narrative, and prevent too much uniformity. The celebrated Montaigne observes, that Tacitus abounds with strong and vigorous sentences, often constructed with point and subtlety, agreeably to the taste of the age, which delighted in the gay and brilliant; and when those were not in the thought, the writer was sure to find an antithesis in the expression. And yet it is remarkable that the same writer, who owns that for twenty years together he read by fits and starts, tells us himself that he read Tacitus a second time in one regular train, without interruption. A third allegation of the critics is, that Tacitus was a misanthrope, who beheld human nature with a malignant eye, and, always suspecting the worst, falsified facts, in order to paint men worse than they were. The answer is obvious Tacitus was fallen on evil times; he says, "A black and evil period lies before me. The age was sunk to the lowest depth of sordid adulation, insomuch that not only the most illustrious citizens, in order to secure themselves, were obliged to crouch in bondage; but even men of consular and prætorian rank, and the whole senate, tried, with emulation, who should be the most obsequious of slaves." (Ann., 3,65.) In such times, who could live free from suspicion? Tacitus knew the character of Tiberius; he was an accurate observer of mankind: but he must have been credulous indeed, or the willing dupe of a profligate court, if he had not laid open the secret motives of all, and traced their actions to their first prin-ready been discussed by Quintilian? These same ciples. At the head of the critics who have endeav- critics observe, moreover, that there appears to be a oured to enforce the charge of falsehood and malevo- great analogy, not only between the matters treated of lence stands Famianus Strada, the elegant author of in this dialogue and those which form the subject of the well-known Prolusiones Academica, and the wars Quintilian's writings, but also between his style and in Holland, entitled De Bello Belgico: but it will be that of the work in question. But it may be replied, sufficient, in answer to his laboured declamations, to in the first place, that, at the time when the dialogue say with Lord Bolingbroke, "He was a rhetor, who was written, Quintilian was already thirty-three years condemned Tacitus, and presumed to write history of age, a period of life to which the expression juvenis himself."-The imputation of atheism, which has been admodum can with no propriety whatever be made to urged by critics of more piety than discernment, is apply. In the next place, the argument deduced from easily refuted. Whatever were our author's doubts analogy of style is not the most conclusive, since those concerning fate, free-will, and the influence of the critics who assign the work to Pliny or Tacitus adplanets, let the fine apostrophe to the departed spirit duce a similar argument in support of their claims. of Agricola be perused with attention, and every sen- On the other hand, the argument which has been timent will discover a mind impressed with the idea drawn from identity of title would be a very strong of an overruling Providence. There are many pas-one, if it were not a fact that the second title, which sages in the Annals and the History to the same effect but more on this head is unnecessary. Nor does the paradox suggested by Boccalini deserve a longer discussion. That author gives it as his opinion, that the whole design of the Annals was to teach the art of despotism: it may, with as good reason, be said, that Lord Clarendon wrote the history of the Grand Rebellion with intent to teach schismatics, Puritans, and Republicans how to murder the king. (Murphy, Essay on the Life and Genius of Tacitus, p. 10, seqq.)-There has come down to us a dialogue entitled De claris oratoribus, sive de causis corrupta eloquentiae. The manuscripts and old editions name Tacitus as the author of this production; a great number of commentators, however, ascribe it to Quintilian, and some to Pliny the Younger. They who argue from the language of manuscripts allege in their favour Pomponius Sabinus, a grammarian, who states that Tacitus had given to the works of Maecenas the epithet of calamistri. Now the passage to which the grammarian alludes is actually found in the 26th chapter of the dialogue under consideration. The author of the dialogue, moreover, informs us, in the first chap

is found in modern editions, De causis corruptæ eloquentia, owes its existence entirely to Lipsius, who thought fit to add this second title, which he had found in Quintilian. All the manuscripts and the early editions merely have the title De claris oratoribus, or else this one, Dialogus an sui sæculi oratores et quare concedant. Another circumstance very much against the idea of Quintilian's being the author of the piece, is the fact of his more than once referring the reader to his other work for matters of which the dialogue we are considering makes not the slightest mention; such, for example, are the hyperbole and exaggeration, of which he speaks in the third book, ch. 3 and 6. The latest editor of Quintilian, Spalding, has carefully collected all these passages, which, in his opinion, show that Quintilian was not the author of the dialogue.-On the introduction of printing, the manuscript of the Annals had become so scarce, that, when Vindelinus of Spires published his edition, in 1468 or 1469, of the works of Tacitus, it contained merely the last six books of the Annals, four books of the History, with part of the fifth, the Treatise on the Manners of the Germans, and the Dialogue concerning Oratory. The

first six books of the Annals had not then been found. | thor's works, and that, to render this object more praeLeo X. promised a pecuniary recompense and indulgen- ticable, ten copies of them should be transcribed ever ces to any one who should find the lost portions of year in one of the public offices. His short rig the work. One of his agents, Angelo Arcomboldi, however, prevented any good results from being pro discovered in the monastery of Corvey, in Westpha- duced by this decree.Having obtained the approa lia, a manuscript which had belonged to Anschaire, tion of the citizens, Tacitus departed from the capta the founder of the convent, and a bishop of the church. to show himself to the army in Thrace. The scal It contained the first five books of the Annals, the last largesses secured his popularity among the soldes, book imperfect. Beroaldus published them at Rome, and the reverence which he found still subsisting fr in 1515, by order of the pope.-Among the numerous the memory of Aurelian, dictated the punishment editions of Tacitus, the following may be mentioned certain chiefs of the conspiracy which had taken as the best that of Gronovius, L. But., 1721, 2 vols. his life. But his attention was soon withdrawa tan 4to; that of Brotier, Paris, 1776, 7 vols. 12mo (re- the investigation of past delinquencies to meet an atprinted by Valpy, Lond., 1823, 4 vols. 8vo); that of gent danger. When the late emperor was making Ernesti, Lips., 1760, 2 vols. 8vo; that of Oberlinus, preparations to invade Persia, he had negotiated with Lips., 1801, 2 vols. 8vo, in four parts, reprinted at Ox- a Scythian tribe, the Alani, to re-enforce his ranks w ford in 1813, 4 vols. 8vo; that of Walther, Hal. Sax., a detachment of their best troops. The barbarum 1831-3, 4 vols. 8vo; and that of Naudet, forming part faithful to their engagement, arrived on the Rese of Lemaire's collection, Paris, 1819-20, 5 vols. 8vo. frontiers with a strong body of cavalry; but, beim (Schöll, Hist. Lit. Rom., vol. 2, p. 366, seqq.-Bähr, they made their appearance, Aurelian was dead, at Gesch. Röm. Lit., p. 311, seqq.)-II. M. Claudius, a the Persian war suspended. In these circumstances. Roman, elected emperor by the senate after the death the Alani, impatient of repose, and disappointed of Aurelian. The assassination of Aurelian had so their prey, soon turned their arms against the uni much enraged the army, that the soldiers were more tunate provinces. They overran Pontus, Cappadoz. intent, for a time, on bringing his murderers to condign and Cilicia before Tacitus could show his readres punishment than on providing a successor. Even to satisfy their claims or punish their aggresses after they had recovered from the first paroxysm of Upon recovering, however, the stipulated reward, the wrath, they hesitated whether they should immediately greater number retired peaceably to their desers; exercise the right which long custom had placed in while those who refused to listen to terms were sup their hands, or wait for the advice and concurrence of dued at the point of the sword. (Vopise., Vit Is the senate in choosing a head for the empire. Upon a citus, c. 13.-Zosim., 1, 63, seqq.— Zonar, 12, 2) short deliberation, they adopted the latter alternative, But the triumphs and reign of this venerable soverage and resolved to write, or else to send a deputation to were not of long duration. It is said that be fell Rome. The senators, long unused to such deference, victim to the jealousy of certain officers of rank. knew not how to act when the message came; and, were offended at the undue promotion of his broer unwilling to incur responsibility, referred the matter Florianus; or to the angry passions of the scen back to the legions. But the army, actuated by a very who despised his pacific genius and literary habi uncommon degree of moderation, renewed their re- But it is no less probable that he sank under the quest to the civil authorities to supply them with a tigues of the campaign, and the severity of the digeneral and ruler; and it was not until this reciprocal mate, to both of which the pursuits of his later ye compliment was urged and rejected three times that had rendered him a stranger. It is clear, at all events, the senators agreed to assemble and discharge their that he died at Tyana, in Cappadocia, after having duty to the empire. Meanwhile, six or seven months swayed the sceptre of the Roman empire about twe had insensibly passed away; an amazing period, it has hundred days. (Vopisc., Vit. Tacit., c. 13.-Z, been remarked, of tranquil anarchy, during which the 1, 63.-Encyclop. Metropol., div. 3, vol. 3, p. Roman world remained without a sovereign, without a usurper, and without a sedition. (Vopisc., Vit. Tacit., c. 1.) On the 25th of September, A.D. 275, | the senate was convoked to exercise once more the

571

TADER, a river of Spain, near New Carthage, cald by Ptolemy the Terebris. It is now the Segurt. (Plin., 3, 4.—Ptol., 2, 6.)

TÆNIRUS, a promontory of Laconia, forming the valuable prerogative with which the constitution of southernmost point of the Peloponnesus. It is now Rome had invested their order. The individual whom called Cape Matapan, which is a modern Greek they elected inherited the name and the virtues of ruption from the ancient μérov, a front, the pro Tacitus, the celebrated historian, and was, besides, re- ontory boldly projecting into the Mediterranean spected for his wisdom, his experience in business, and cient geographers reckoned thence to Cape Pa his mild benevolence. This venerable legislator had in Africa 3000 stadia, to Cape Pachynus S already attained his 75th year, a circumstance which 4600 or 4000, and to the promontory of Malea 670 he urged, with a great show of reason, for declining the (Strabo, 363.) Near it was a cave, said to be the ehonour which was now assigned him. But his objec- trance to Orcus, by which Hercules dragged Cerberat tions were repelled by the most flattering encomiums, to the upper regions. Pausanias cites another version and his election was confirmed by acclamation among of the fable from Hecatæus of Miletus, which makes both citizens and soldiers. It was the wisdom not the cavern to have been the haunt of a large and dead less than the inclination of the aged emperor that in-ly serpent, conquered by Hercules, and brought te Et duced him to leave much of the supreme power in the rystheus (3, 25.-Creuzer, Hist. Gr. Fragn.p.41 hands from which he received it. He encouraged the There was a temple on the promontory sacred to Nepsenate to resume their wonted authority; to appoint tune, and which was accounted an inviolable as proconsuls in all the provinces, and to exercise all the It seems to have been a species of cavern. On the other privileges which had been conferred upon them promontory, also, was a statue of Arion seated on a by Augustus. His moderation and simplicity were dolphin. Tænarus became subsequently famous for not affected by the change of his condition; the only the beautiful marble of its quarries, which the Romans expense which he permitted to himself was the en- held in the highest estimation. It was a species couragement which he bestowed on the fine arts, and Verd Antique. About forty stadia from the promo the only personal indulgences which he would not re-tory stood the city of Tænarus, afterward called Came sign were reading and conversation with literary men. He took great pains, to preserve the writings of his ancestor the historian; for which purpose he gave orders that every public library should possess that au

or Canepolis. Mr. Morritt, in his journey through Laconia (Walpole's Memoirs, vol. 1, p. 56), was formed that there were considerable remains of ana cient city on Cape Grosso, agreeing, as far as the dis

TALUS, called otherwise Perdix, a nephew of Dad-Rha or Wolga. Of the course of the latter, and its alus. (Vid. Perdix.)

TAMASUS OF TAMASEUS (Tauáσeos, Steph. Byz.), a city of Cyprus, southeast of Soloë, and to the northwest of Mount Olympus. The adjacent territory was celebrated for its rich mines of copper, and for the metallic composition prepared on the spot, and called chalcanthum. (Strab., 683.) These mines appear to have been known as early as the days of Homer, for they are referred to in the Odyssey (1, 183). It has been disputed, however, among commentators, whether the poet alludes to the Cyprian Tamasus, or the Italian Temesa or Tempsa, also famous for its cop-ing to the same intelligent traveller, when the word per mines. (Compare Steph. Byz., s. v. Taμúoɛoç. Nonn., Dionys., 13, 445.- Plin., 5, 31.) In the vicinity of Tamasus was a celebrated plain, sacred to Venus, and where the goddess is said to have gathered the golden apples by which Hippomanes, to whom she gave them, was enabled to conquer Atalanta in

falling into the Palus Maotis to the north of all the ants of Tantalus, such as Niobe, Hermione, &cother mouths of the Don. This northernmost mouth Agamemnon and Menelaüs, as grandsons of Tarala of the Don, owing to the river whose waters its chan-are called "Tantalidæ fraires" by Ovid. (Her,t nel is supposed peculiarly to contain, is called Dana- 45, 122.) etz also, and, to express either its sluggish current TANTALUS, a king of Lydia, son of Jupiter by: or its lapse into the sea, Dead Danaetz. The Greeks, nymph called Pluto (Wealth), was the father of Pe steering from the Crimea towards the mouths of the lops, and of Niobe the wife of Amphion.-U Don, and, as their custom was, keeping close to the when relating to the Phæacians what he had be shore, entered first this northernmost mouth of the held in the lower world, describes Tantalus as si river, and gave it the name of Tanaïs, from its native ing up to the chi in water, which constantly eldes appellation. As regards the etymology of the name, his lip as often as he attempts to quench the th on which head Dr. Clarke is silent, it may be remark- that torments him. Over his head grow all kind ed that Bayer (Commt. Acad. Petr., vol. 9, p. 375) fruits; but, whenever he reaches forth his hands a supposes an early European people to have once ex- take them, the wind scatters them to the clouds. isted, in whose language a word like Tan, Ton, Don, 11, 581, seqq.) The passage of Homer, however, a or Dunai may have signified "water," from which which this account rests, was regarded by Arsar were gradually derived such names of rivers as Tan- chus as spurious, according to the scholiast on Pat ais, Danaperis, Danaster, Danubius (Tunowe in the (Olymp., 1,97). If we reject the verses of the Oce Nebelungenlied, v. 6116. — Aávovbiç in Procopius), sey which have just been referred to, and the auther Don, Duna, 'Povdov (in Ptolemy), Eridan, Ro-dan, ticity of which has been farther invalidated by an &c. It is a curious confirmation, in part at least, of edited scholiast whom Porson cites (ad Eurip., Or this hypothesis, that the Ossetes, a Caucasian tribe, 5), we then come, in the order of time, to the accou have the word Don in their language as a general term given first by Archilochus (Pausan, 10, 21, 12 for "water," river," &c., and designate all mount-after him by Pindar. According to this poet. Je ain streams by this appellation. (Compare Lehrberg, Untersuchungen, &c., Petersb., p. 400.-Ritter, Vorhalle, &c., p. 304.)-II. A city in Asiatic Sarmatia, at the mouth of the Tanais, which soon became sufficiently powerful, by reason of its extensive commerce, to withdraw itself from the sway of the kings of the Bosporus, and establish its independence. One of these same monarchs, however, by name Polemo, sub-pended over him by golden chains. (Eurip. O sequently took and destroyed it. It was afterward rebuilt, but never attained its former eminence. The ruins of the place are to the west of the modern Azof. (Plin., 6, 7.-Steph. Byz., s. v.)

hung a vast rock in the air over the head of Tanza
which, always menacing to descend and crush
deprives him of all joy, and makes him “a wa
from happiness." (Ol., 1, 57, segg., ed. Back-
Böckh, ad loc.) Pindar does not mention the
of his punishment, but Euripides says it was the af
between heaven and earth, and that the rock wa

6, 7, 972, scq.)-The offence of Tantalus, which cal-
ed down upon him this severe infliction, is vaneos!
stated. The common account makes him to
killed and dressed his son Pelops, and to have placed
his remains as food before the gods, whom he had
vited to a banquet, in order to test their divinity.
Pelops.) Pindar, however, rejects this legend is
becoming the majesty of the gods, and says, th
ever mortal man was honoured by the dwellers
Olympus, it was Tantalus; but that he could not
gest his happiness. They admitted him, he add
feast at their table on nectar and ambrosia, which a
him immortal; but he stole some of the divine good.
and gave it to his friends on earth. This, apg
to Pindar, was the crime for which he was posted
(Pind., l. c.) Euripides, on the other hand, says t
the offence of Tantalus was his not restraining
tongue; that is, probably, his divulging the secrets
the gods. (Eurip., Orest., 10.)-The residence di
Tantalus was placed at the foot of Mount Spri
Lydia. Hence, according to another legend, Je
cast this mountain upon him; for Pandarens harg
stolen the golden dog which had guarded the goat
reared the god, gave it to Tantalus to keep. Merey
being sent to reclaim the dog, Tantalus denied a
knowledge of it, and, for his falsehood, the most
was thrown upon him. (Schol. ad Pind, 0, 1,97
Anton., lib. 36.) This last trifling legend is,
may easily see, one of the many attempts at local
the ancient myths; for Sipylus, it is plain,
was design-
ed to take the place of the mythic rock-The
Tantalus is, like Sisyphus, a reduplication, and s
myth is evidently one of those handed down from ge
old Pelasgic times. The root of Tantalus is proba

TANAQUIL, in Etrurian Tanchufil (Müller, Etrusker, 1, p. 72), called also Caia Cacilia, was the wife of Tarquinius Priscus, the fifth king of Rome. (Vid. Tarquinius I.) Niebuhr makes the Tarquin family of Latin, not of Etrurian origin; and thinks that the name Caia Cæcilia belongs to a legend concerning Tarquinius entirely different from that which became prevalent. "In the latter legend," observes this eminent writer, "Tanaquil comes to Rome with Tarquin, and outlives him; it is not even pretended anywhere that she, too, changed her Etruscan name. Cæcilia had a statue in a temple, so intimately was she associated with the older tradition; and her name implies a connexion with Præneste, said to have been built by Cæculus (Serv. ad Virg., En., 7, 681), the hero after whom the Cæcilii were called. In this point the feigned Etruscan Tarquinius has not quite obliterated the traces of the Latin Priscus : the historians throw aside altogether what they cannot bring into unison with their accounts." (Niebuhr's Rom. Hist., vol. 1, p. 324, Cambr. transl.)-Tanaquil was represent ed in the Roman traditions as a woman of high spirit, and accustomed to rule her husband; hence the name is used by the Latin poets to indicate generally any imperious consort. (Auson., Epist., 23, 31.-Juvenal, Sat., 6, 564.) She was also celebrated in the same legends as an excellent spinster (lanifica) and housewife; and her distaff and spindle were preserved in the temple of Sancus or Hercules. (Cic., pro Mur., 12.-Plin., 8, 48.) It was Tanaquil that, after the murder of Tarquinius Priscus, managed adroitly to se- 22w, and he represents the man who is forg cure the succession to Servius Tullius, her son-in-law. and abounding in wealth, but whose desires are (Vid. Tarquinius I., near the close of that article.) tiable (020anos, for euphony made Tévralx, the TANIS, a city of Egypt, at the entrance of, and giv-letters 6, 7, 2, and being frequently commsted ing name to, the Tanitic mouth of the Nile, between Welcker, ap. Schwenck, Andeut., p. 265.—Voicher, the Mendesian and Pelusiac. This city is the Zoan Myth. der Iap. Geschl., p. 355). The Homeric pic of the Scriptures, and its remains are still called San. ture exhibits in lively colours the misery of such a The Ostium Taniticum is now the Omm-Faredje state. The other form of the legend represents, permouth. (Numbers, 13, 22.-Isaiah, 19, 11, 13.) haps, the cares and fears attendant upon riches, ot TANTALIDES, a patronymic applied to the descend-it may be, as has ingeniously been conjectured, an

age of the evils of ambition and the inordinate pursuit | low situation, from dánтw, sepelio. It lay off Hybla. of honours; for when Tantalus, it was said, had at- The neck of land connecting it with the main island tained his ultimate desire, and was admitted to the of Sicily was so low that Servius calls the promontory table of the gods, his joy was converted into terror by itself an island; and it is even now styled Isola delli his fancying a rock suspended over his head, and ready Manghisi. (Virg., Æn., 3, 689.) to crush him; and he sought.permission to resign his seat at the celestial table. (Alcman, ap. Schol. ad Pind., l. c.-Nic. Damasc., ap. Stob., 14, 7.-Welcker, das Epische Cyclus, p. 280, seqq.) It was probably the idea of the great wealth of Lydia that caused the myth of Tantalus to be localized at Sipylus. (Keightley's Mythology, p. 442, seq.)

TAPHIE, islands in the Ionian Sea, on the north coast of Ithaca, or, rather, between Leucadia and the east of Acarnania. They form a considerable group, and are often mentioned by Homer and other classical writers as the haunt of notorious pirates. (Od., 1, 417.) The principal island is that which is called by Homer Taphos, but by later writers Taphius and Taphiussa (Strabo, 458), and is probably the one known to modern geographers by the name of Meganisi. Mr. Dodwell informs us that Calamo, another of the Taphian group, produces perhaps the finest flour in the world, which is sent to Corfu, and sold as a luxury (vol. 1, p. 61). The Taphia were also called Telabox. (Cramer's Anc. Greece, vol. 2, p. 55.) They were fabled to have received these names from Taphius and Telebous, the sons of Neptune, who reigned there. The Taphians made war against Electryon, king of Mycenae, and murdered all his sons; upon which the monarch promised his kingdom and his daughter in marriage to whoever could avenge the death of his children upon the Taphians. Amphitryon did it with success, and obtained the hand of the maiden. (Apollod., 2, 4.)

TAPHRE, a city in the Tauric Chersonese, on the narrowest part of the isthmus. The ancient name is derived from Tappós, a ditch or trench, one having been cut close to the town to defend the entrance into the Chersonese. The modern Prekop marks the site of the ancient city. (Mela, 2, 1.-Plin., 4, 12.) TAPHROS, the strait between Corsica and Sardinia, now the straits of St. Bonifacio. (Plin., 3, 6.)

TARAS (-antis), I. a son of Neptune, who, according to some, was the founder of Tarentum, called in Greek Tápas. (Vid. Tarentum.)-II. A small river to the west of Tarentum, now the Tara. (Steph. Byz., s. v. Tápas.)

TARASCO, a city of Gaul, on the eastern side of the Rhone, and north of Arelate. It is now Tarascon, lying opposite to Beaucaire. (Bischoff und Möller, Wörterb. der Geogr., p. 947.)

TARBELLI, a people of Aquitanic Gaul, at the foot of the Pyrenees, whose chief city was Aquæ Augustæ, now Aqs, or, according to some, Dax. (Cæs., B. G., 3, 27.)

TARENTUM (in Greek Tápaç), now Taranto, a celebrated city of Lower Italy, situated in the northeastern angle of the Sinus Tarentinus, and in the territory of Messapia or Iapygia. It was founded, according to some, by a Cretan colony before the Trojan war, and received its name from the leader of the colony, Taras, a reputed son of Neptune (i. e., a powerful naval chieftain). In the 21st Olympiad, a strong body of emigrants arrived under Philanthus from Laconia, so that it seemed to be refounded. The new colony established themselves upon an aristocratical plan, enlarged the fortifications of the city, and formed it into a near resemblance of Sparta. Most of the nobles having subsequently perished in a war with the Iapyges, democ racy was introduced. The favourable situation of the place contributed to its rapid prosperity. Placed in the centre, as it were, it obtained the whole commerce of the Adriatic, Ionian, and Tyrrhenian Seas. The adjacent country was fertile in grain and fruit; the pastures were excellent, and the flocks afforded a very fine wool. At this most prosperous period of the republic, which may be supposed to date about 400 B.C., when Rome was engaged in the siege of Veii, and Greece was enjoying some tranquillity after the long struggle of the Peloponnesian war, Archytas, a distinguished philosoTAPROBANE, an island in the Indian Ocean, now pher of the school of Pythagoras, and an able statesman, called Ceylon. The Greeks first learned the exist-presided over her counsels as strategos. Her navy ence of this island after the expedition of Alexander, was far superior to that of any other Italian colony. when ambassadors were sent by them to the court of Nor were her military establishments less formidable Palimbothra. The account then received was ampli-and efficient, since she could bring into the field a fied so much, that this island was deemed the commencement of another world, inhabited by antichthones. or men in a position opposite to those in the known hemisphere. Ptolemy, better informed, makes it an island, five times greater, however, than it really is. Strabo speaks of it as though it lay off the hither coast of India, looking towards the continent of Africa. The name of Salice, which we learn from Ptolemy to have been the native denomination of the island, is preserved in that of Selen-dive, compounded of the proper name Selen and the appellative for an island in the Indian language, and it is apparent that the name of Ceilan or Ceylon, according to the European usage, is only an alteration in orthography. Ptolemy calls it a very fertile island, and mentions as its produce rice, honey (or rather, perhaps, sugar), ginger, and also precious stones, with all sorts of metals; he speaks, too, of its elephants and tigers. It is surprising, however, that neither Ptolemy nor those who preceded him say anything of the cinnamon, which now forms the chief produce of the island. The ancients could not be ignorant of the nature of this article, especially as they called a portion of the eastern coast of Africa by the name of Regio Cinnamomifera. (Strabo, 72. -Id, 690.-Mela, 3, 7.-Plin., 6, 22.-Cosmas Indicopl, 11, p. 336.)

TAPSUS, a small and lowly situated peninsula on the eastern coast of Sicily. Its name has reference to its

force of 30,000 foot and 5000 horse, exclusive of a
select body of cavalry called Hipparchi. (Heyne,
Opusc. Acad., vol. 2, p. 223.) The Tarentines were
long held in great estimation as auxiliary troops, and
were frequently employed in the armies of foreign
princes and states. (Strabo, 280.-Elian, Var.
Hist., 7, 4.-Polyb., 11, 12.—Id., 16, 15.)—Nor was
the cultivation of the arts and of literature forgotten
in the advancement of political strength and civiliza-
tion. The Pythagorean sect, which in other parts of
Magna Græcia had been so barbarously oppressed,
here found encouragement and refuge through the in-
fluence of Archytas, who was said to have entertained
Plato during his residence in this city. (Cic., de Sen.,
12.) And the first sculptors and painters of Greece
contributed to embellish Tarentum with several splen-
did mouments, which ancient authors have dwelt upon
with admiration, and which, at a later period, when
transferred to Rome, served to decorate the Capitol.
But their grandeur was not of long duration; for
wealth and abundance soon engendered a love of ease
and luxury, the consequences of which proved fatal to
the interests of Tarentum, by sapping the vigour of
her institutions, enervating the minds and corrupting
the morals of her inhabitants. Effeminacy and volup-
tuousness gradually usurped the place of energy and
courage, and the Tarentines became the abandoned
slaves of licentiousness and vice.
To such excess,