A list of 19 words by jpin.
- sybaritewas added by jpin and appears on 145 lists
- sword of Damocleswas added by jpin and appears on 3 lists
- stoicwas added by jpin and appears on 150 lists
- Spartanwas added by jpin and appears on 18 lists
- sophistrywas added by jpin and appears on 191 lists
- solecismwas added by jpin and appears on 229 lists
- Pyrrhicwas added by jpin and appears on 8 lists
- philippicwas added by jpin and appears on 60 lists
- ostracismwas added by jpin and appears on 20 lists
- mausoleumwas added by jpin and appears on 78 lists
- laconicwas added by jpin and appears on 498 lists
- Gordian knotwas added by jpin and appears on 11 lists
- epicureanwas added by jpin and appears on 90 lists
- epicurewas added by jpin and appears on 76 lists
- Draconianwas added by jpin and appears on 6 lists
- cynicwas added by jpin and appears on 52 lists
- Croesuswas added by jpin and appears on 9 lists
- Arcadianwas added by jpin and appears on 15 lists
- Sisypheanwas added by jpin and appears on 25 lists
jpin commented on the list words-from-greek-history-and-philosophy
In Greek mythology, Sisyphus was a king who annoyed the gods with his trickery. As a consequence, he was condemned for eternity to roll a huge rock up a long, steep hill in the underworld, only to watch it roll back down. The story of Sisyphus is often told in conjunction with that of Tantalus, who was condemned to stand beneath fruit-laden boughs, up to his chin in water. Whenever he bent his head to drink, the water receded, and whenever he reached for the fruit, the branches moved beyond his grasp. Thus to "tantalize" is to tease or torment by offering something desirable but keeping it out of reach -- and something "Sisyphean" (or "Sisyphian," pronounced \sih-SIFF-ee-un\) demands unending, thankless, and ultimately unsuccessful efforts.
September 13, 2010
jpin commented on the list words-from-greek-history-and-philosophy
"We had in this region, twenty years ago, among our educated men, a sort of Arcadian fanaticism, a passionate desire to go upon the land and unite farming to intellectual persuits." - Emerson
The region of Greece known in classical times as Arcadia is quite mountainous. It was therefore rather inaccessible and so was well known for its peaceful, rustic way of life.
September 13, 2010
jpin commented on the list words-from-greek-history-and-philosophy
"You are aware that my father - once reckoned a Croesus of wealth - became bankrupt a short time previous to his death." - Charlotte Bronte
Croesus, like Midas, was a very wealthy king of Asia Minor. In an age of barter, Croesus' kingdom had been one of the first nations to mint coins of precious metal; it had, so to speak, invented money. Later, his kingdom was conquered by the Persians.
September 13, 2010
jpin commented on the list words-from-greek-history-and-philosophy
In the 7th century B.C. Draco codified and systemized Athenian law so that even minor offenses were punishable by death.
September 13, 2010
jpin commented on the list words-from-greek-history-and-philosophy
Epicurus was the founder of a Greek school of philosophy which held that the supreme goal of life should be pleasure
September 13, 2010
jpin commented on the list words-from-greek-history-and-philosophy
To cut the Gordian knot is to solve a difficult problem by direct and drastic means.
According to legend, Phrygian king Gordias tied an extremely intricate knot, whereby a prophecy arose that whoever untied it would rule Asia. Later, Alexander the Great, unable to untie the knot, cut it instead with his sword.
September 13, 2010
jpin commented on the list words-from-greek-history-and-philosophy
Laconia was a region of Greece dominated by Sparta, a city of perfectly disciplined warriors.
September 13, 2010
jpin commented on the list words-from-greek-history-and-philosophy
To prevent an individual from demagoguery, Athens held, on occasion, an election which each voter inscribed on a broken piece of pottery, called an ostrakon, the name of the man whom he considered the most dangerous to the state. The person with the greatest number of votes was sent to exile for ten years.
September 13, 2010
jpin commented on the list words-from-greek-history-and-philosophy
A philippic is a fiery, damning speech, or tirade, delivered to condemn a particular political actor. The term originates with Demosthenes, who delivered several attacks on Philip II of Macedon in the 4th century BC in attempt to prevent him from gaining control of all Greece.
September 13, 2010
jpin commented on the list words-from-greek-history-and-philosophy
The colony of Soli was the last outpost of Greek civilization, where the inhabitants developed such a barbarous dialect that the name of the town became proverbial for grammatical mistakes. By extension, solecism has come to mean social error as well as incorrectness of speech.
September 13, 2010
jpin commented on the list words-from-greek-history-and-philosophy
Sybaris was a Greek colony in southern Italy famed for its wealth and luxurious living.
September 13, 2010
milosrdenstvi commented on the list words-from-greek-history-and-philosophy
Excellent words & etymologies! Hope to see more of these.
September 14, 2010