JULIUS POLLUX Meaning and
Definition
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Julius Pollux, also known as Iulius Pollux or Pollux the Grammarian, was an Ancient Greek grammarian and rhetorician. He is primarily remembered for his work "Onomasticon", a dictionary of Attic Greek vocabulary.
Julius Pollux was born in the 2nd century CE in Egypt and lived during the time of the Roman Empire. He studied in Athens, which was renowned for its intellectual and philosophical pursuits during that period. He gained recognition as a scholar and rhetorician and became a professor of rhetoric in Athens.
His most prominent work, "Onomasticon", is an extensive dictionary organized thematically. It covers a wide range of topics including clothing, animals, plants, food, professions, architectural terms, and even abusive expressions. Each category provides a list of words associated with the topic along with their meanings and often accompanied by examples or descriptions. Pollux's intention was to create a comprehensive resource catering to the needs of students, writers, and orators.
Although Pollux's work was highly influential during his lifetime, many of his other writings did not survive, and he is often overshadowed by other Greek grammarian giants such as Dionysius Thrax. Despite this, his "Onomasticon" remains an important resource for scholars and historians interested in studying the Greek language and its usage during the Hellenistic period and the Roman Empire.
Etymology of JULIUS POLLUX
The word "Julius Pollux" does not have a specific etymology as it is a combination of two different names: "Julius" and "Pollux".
"Julius" is a Roman family name of ancient origin. It is derived from the Latin name "Iulius", which was most likely derived from the Greek name "ἴουλος" (ioulos), meaning "downy-bearded" or "youthful". The name "Julius" became prominent through Gaius Julius Caesar, the renowned Roman statesman and military general.
On the other hand, "Pollux" is a figure from Greek mythology. He was one of the twin brothers, Castor and Pollux, known as the Dioscuri.
