Agate. A variety of quartz often employed by the engravers of antiquity. The term is a corruption of the word Achates, a river of Sicily, on the banks of which numerous varieties of the stone abound. Among these maybe mentioned the cerachates, or white wax-like agate; dendrachates, or arborescent agate; hemachates, or blood-agate, so called from its blood-like spots; and leucachates, or white agate. Agates were often carved into scarabæi by the Egyptians, and Babylonian cylinders have been found, made of the same material. The oriental agate is semi-transparent, the occidental is opaque, of various tints, often veined with quartz and jasper; hence its fitness for cutting cameos.
Agathodæmon, Cup of, Gr. (Ἀγαθο-δαίμων). A name given by the Greeks to a cup consecrated to Bacchus, and meaning literally, the “Cup of the Good Genius.” It was sent round after a feast, in order that each guest might partake of the wine.
Agea, R. A narrow passage or gangway in a boat, by means of which the boatswain (hortator) communicated with the rowers.
Agger, R. A general term to denote a mound of any materials, such as that formed by a dyke, quay, roadway, or earthwork; and particularly a rampart composed of trunks of trees and employed in offensive or defensive warfare. A celebrated agger was that of Servius Tullius at Rome. The art of constructing aggeres and other fortifications, had been learnt by the Romans from the Greeks, who in their turn had derived it from the East. It was after having penetrated into the heart of Asia under Alexander the Great, that the Greeks learned the use of siege works employed in the attack or defence of strong places, and became acquainted with various kinds of warlike engines such as the Acrobaticon, &c.
Agnus Bell, Chr. A sacring bell.
Agnus Dei, Chr. The Lamb of God, or lamb bearing the banner of the cross. The term is also used to denote certain ornaments or medallions of wax impressed with a figure of the lamb. They represented the ancient custom of distributing to worshippers, on the first Sunday after Easter, particles of wax from the consecrated paschal taper.
Agolum, R. A long sharp-pointed shepherd’s stick used by the Roman herdsmen for driving their cattle. The agolum was made out of a straight shoot of the prickly pear; it is still in use among the herdsmen of the Roman campagna at the present day.
Agonalia or Agonia, R. A Roman festival, which derived its name from the word agone (shall I proceed?) the question asked of the rex sacrificulus by the attendant, before he sacrificed the victim. The Quirinal was called Mons agonus, from a festival being held there on the 17th or 18th of March, in honour of Mars. The day itself was called Agonium martiale or day of the Liberalia. Another explanation of the etymology of the name is that the sacrifice was offered on the Quirinal hill, which was originally called Agonus. (Consult Ovid. Fasti, i. 319–332, he suggests several explanations.)
Agonistic, (ἀγωνιστικὴ, from ἀγὼν, a contest). With the ancients, that part of gymnastics in which athletes contended with arms.
