Atrŏpos, one of the Parcæ, daughters of Nox and Erebus. According to the derivation of her name (a non, τρεπω muto), she is inexorable and inflexible, and her duty among the three sisters is to cut the thread of life, without any regard to sex, age, or quality. She was represented by the ancients in a black veil, with a pair of scissors in her hand. See: [Parcæ].
T. Q. Atta, a writer of merit in the Augustan age, who seems to have received this name from some deformity in his legs or feet. His compositions, dramatical as well as satirical, were held in universal admiration, though Horace thinks of them with indifference. Horace, bk. 2, ltr. 1, li. 79.
Attălia, a city of Pamphylia, built by king Attalus. Strabo.
Attalĭcus. See: [Attalus III.]
Attălus I., king of Pergamus, succeeded Eumenes I. He defeated the Gauls who had invaded his dominions, extended his conquests to mount Taurus, and obtained the assistance of the Romans against Antiochus. The Athenians rewarded his merit with great honours. He died at Pergamus after a reign of 44 years, B.C. 197. Livy, bks. 26, 27, 28, &c.—Polybius, bk. 5.—Strabo, bk. 13.——The second of that name was sent on an embassy to Rome by his brother Eumenes II., and at his return was appointed guardian to his nephew Attalus III., who was then an infant. Prusias made successful war against him, and seized his capital; but the conquest was stopped by the interference of the Romans, who restored Attalus to his throne. Attalus, who has received the name of Philadelphus, from his fraternal love, was a munificent patron of learning, and the founder of several cities. He was poisoned by his nephew in the 82nd year of his age, B.C. 138. He had governed the nation with great prudence and moderation for 20 years. Strabo, bk. 13.—Polybius, bk. 5.——The third succeeded to the kingdom of Pergamus, by the murder of Attalus II., and made himself odious by his cruelty to his relations and his wanton exercise of power. He was son to Eumenes II., and surnamed Philopater. He left the cares of government to cultivate his garden, and to make experiments on the melting of metals. He lived in great amity with the Romans; and as he died without issue by his wife Berenice, he left in his will the words Populus Romanus meorum hæres esto, which the Romans interpreted as themselves, and therefore took possession of his kingdom, B.C. 133, and made of it a Roman province, which they governed by a proconsul. From this circumstance, whatever was a valuable acquisition, or an ample fortune, was always called by the epithet Attalicus. Attalus, as well as his predecessors, made themselves celebrated for the valuable libraries which they collected at Pergamus, and for the patronage which merit and virtue always found at their court. Livy, bk. 24, &c.—Pliny, bks. 7, 8, 33, &c.—Justin, bk. 39.—Horace, bk. 1, ode 1.——An officer in Alexander’s army. Curtius, bk. 4, ch. 13.——Another very inimical to Alexander. He was put to death by Parmenio, and Alexander was accused of the murder. Curtius, bk. 6, ch. 9; bk. 8, ch. 1.——A philosopher, preceptor to Seneca. Seneca ltr. 108.——An astronomer of Rhodes.
Attarras, an officer who seized those that had conspired with Dymnus against Alexander. Curtius, bk. 6.
Atteius Capĭto, a consul in the age of Augustus, who wrote treatises on sacerdotal laws, public courts of justice, and the duty of a senator. See: [♦]Ateius.
[♦] No reference to ‘Ateius’ found.
Attes, a son of Calaus of Phrygia, who was born impotent. He introduced the worship of Cybele among the Lydians, and became a great favourite of the goddess. Jupiter was jealous of his success, and sent a wild boar to lay waste the country and destroy Attes. Pausanias, bk. 7, ch. 17.
Atthis, a daughter of Cranaus II. king of Athens, who gave her name to Attica, according to Apollodorus, bk. 3, ch. 14.