Among the epithets borne by Apollo was Lycean, an epithet of such antiquity that it has never been determined whether it was derived from the root lute, light, or lyco, wolf.
In the one case it would refer to the god as the giver of light; the other as the wolf-slayer.
Either explanation could be readily supported. Be that as it may, the Athenians dedicated an enclosure to Apollo, which was known as the Lyceum, in its Latin form.
It was decorated with buildings and sculpture by the leading artists and was a favorite place of exercise by Athenian youths.
But its significance to us lies in the fact that it became also the favorite walk of the most noted Athenian philosophers, especially Aristotle, who taught his followers most readily while strolling through its paths, and it was this practice that caused the term to be adopted for certain of our lecture halls or meetings.
Related Posts
-
What does the word mugwump mean and Where does the word “mugwump” originate?
John Eliot, so-called "apostle to the Indians," had many difficulties when, in the middle of the seventeenth century, he was translating the Bible into the Indian language. There were so many words for…
-
What Does the Word “Restaurant” Mean In French and How Did the Word For Dining Room Originate?
Up until 1765, diners were offered only what innkeepers chose to serve. But then, a Paris chef named Boulanger began offering a choice of nourishing soups to passersby and on a board hanging…
-
What Does the Word “Gymnasium” Mean in Greek and How Did the Word “Stadium” Originate?
The word gymnasium is from the Greek word gymnos, which means "nude." Thus, gymnasium literally means "a school for naked exercise." The first Olympic event for the nude male athletes, or gymnasts, was…
-
How Did the Word “Tip” Originate and What Does the Word For a Gratuity Mean In German?
The word "tip" is not an acronym for "To Insure Promptness." In the 1800s a tip was understood to be a bribe. As insider information, tip first appeared in the seventeenth century and…
-
How did the word “idiot” originate and What does the word idiot mean?
When we say that the word idiot is derived from the Greek idiotes, it must be understood that the Greek term had no such meaning as we give to idiot, not remotely. Its…
-
Where does the word “travail” come from and How did the word “travel” originate?
The nature of the instrument of torture cannot be determined. Possibly it was employed by the Roman soldiery in outposts far from Rome at some period of the Dark Ages, because its name…
