Aesop
e'sop (620-564 B. C.), a Greek writer of fables. The accounts of his life and writings rest on a slender foundation. Various regions contended for the honor of his birth. According to some accounts, while still young he was brought to Athens as a slave. On obtaining his freedom, he took up his residence at the court of Croesus, by whom he was employed as an ambassador at Delphi. According to one account, Aesop was entrusted by Croesus with the duty of distributing a sum of money at Delphi. Failing to do this satisfactorily, he was thrown headlong over a precipice. As a punishment a pestilence fell upon the city. No manuscript or other evidence of Aesop's writings has been preserved. He may have been merely a story teller. He may not have lived at all. During the brilliant period of Athenian literature, however, a collection of pithy anecdotes was known as "Aesop's Fables." These fables were well known to the Romans. They have been translated into many languages. A scholarly edition published in 1810 in Germany contains two hundred thirty-one fables. Many of them seem to be mere variations of similar fables extant among the Arabians, Hindus, Persians, and even Chinese. "Eastern Fables" would be quite as appropriate a name. "'What a dust I do raise,' said the fly as he sat on the axletree of the chariot," is one of the sayings attributed to Aesop. See Lokman ; Grimm ; La Fontaine ; Andersen
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Aesopus
A Phrygian philosopher who, originally a slave, procured his liberty by his genius. He dedicated his fables to his patron, Croesus . The fables which we have now under his name doubtless contain also fables and apologues of wits before and after the age of Aesop.
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Aethra
Daughter of Pittheus of Troezen, and mother of Theseus by Aegeus . She afterwards lived in Attica , from whence she was carried off to Lacedaemon by Castor and Pollux , and became a slave of Helen, with whom she was taken to Troy. 2026 Editor's Note: Aethra is the mother of Theseus , the hero credited with slaying the Minotaur and the synoikismos (unification) of Attica. While the page identifies Aegeus as the father, some traditions also describe her son as the child of the god Poseidon. Accounts of his life and political legacy were famously recorded by the historian Plutarch. (Ed: BR 2026-06-14)
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Aetites or Aquilaeus
A precious stone of magical properties, composed of oxide of iron with a little silex and alumina, and said to be found in the stomach or neck of the eagle. It is supposed to heal falling sickness, and prevent untimely birth. It should be worn bound on the arm to prevent abortion, and on the thigh to aid parturition. “
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Aetna
A volcanic mountain in the northeast of Sicily between Tauromenium and Catana. It is said to have derived its name from Aetna, a Sicilian nymph, a daughter of Heaven and Earth.
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Aetna, Mount
Mount. See Etna ; Mount
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Aetolia
A division of Greece, was bounded on the west by Acarnania, from which it was separated by the river Achelous , on the north by Epirus and Thessaly, on the east by the Ozolian Locrians, and on the south by the entrance to the Corinthian gulf. Afranius, L. A Roman comic poet, flourished about B. C. 100. His comedies depicted Roman life with such accuracy that he is classed with Menander . Only a few fragments of them are preserved.
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Affirmation
the act of affirming, in the sense of solemnly declaring in a court of law that certain testimony about to be given is true. Also, the statement made. First, the Quakers consciand Moravians, who objected on entious grounds, to take oaths, were allowed to make solemn affirmations instead; now, everyone objecting to take antastions, less than oath has the same privilege; but, as false oaths, are liable to the penalties of perjury.
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Afghan
af'gan, a blanket knitted or crocheted of wool, usually in fancy colors. It is used as a sofa cover or as a carriage robe.
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African Builders' Architects
A mystical association founded by one, C. F. Koffen, a German official (1734-1797). Its ostensible object was that of literary culture and intellectual study, but masonic qualifications were required of its members, and it attracted to itself some of the most distinguished Continental literati of the period. It had branches at Worms, Cologne and Paris. It is asserted that it was affiliated with the Society of Alethophilas or Lovers of Truth, which, indeed, is the name of one of its grades, the designations of which were as follow: Inferior Grades (I) Apprentice of Egyptian Secrets (2) Initiate into Egyptian Secrets; (3) Cosmopolitan; (4) Christian Philosopher (5) Alethophilos. Higher Grades (I) Esquire; (2) Soldier; (3) Knight-thus supplying Egyptian, Christian and Templar mysteries to the initiate. In 1806 there was published at Berlin a pamphlet entitled A Discovery Concerning the System of the Order of African Architects.
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Ag
A red flower used by the natives of Hindustan to propitiate their god, Sanee. It is made into a wreath with jasoon, also a red-coloured flower, which is hung round the neck of the god, who is of a congenial nature. This ceremony is performed by night.
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Agaberte
Daughter of a certain giant called Vagnoste, dwelling in Scandinavia . She was a powerful enchantress, and was rarely seen in her true shape. Sometimes she would take the form of an old woman, wrinkled and bent, and hardly able to move about. At one time she would appear weak and ill, and at another tall and strong, so that her head seemed to touch the clouds. These transformations she effected without the smallest effort or trouble. People were so struck with her marvels that they believed her capable of overthrowing the mountains, tearing up the trees, drying up the rivers with the greatest of ease. They held that nothing less than a legion of demons must be at her command for the accomplishment of her magic feats. She seems to be like the Scottish Cailleach Bheur, a nature hag.
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