Co´drus. The last king of Athens, son of Melanthus. When the Heraclidæ made war against Athens, the oracle said that the victory would be granted to that nation whose king was killed in battle. The Heraclidæ on hearing this gave orders to spare the life of Codrus, but the patriotic king disguised himself, and engaging with one of the enemy, was killed. The Athenians obtained the victory, and Codrus was regarded as the savior of his country.
Cœ´lus or Ura´nus. An ancient deity supposed to be the father of Saturn, Oceanus, and Hyperion.
Col´chis or Col´chos. A country of Asia famous for the expedition of the Argonauts, and as being the birthplace of Medea.
Collati´nus, L. Tarquinius. A nephew of Tarquin the Proud. He married Lucretia. He, with Brutus, drove the Tarquins from Rome.
Colos´sus. A celebrated brazen image at Rhodes, which was considered to be one of the seven wonders of the world.
Com´modus, L. Aure´lius Antoni´nus, son of M. Antoninus, succeeded his father in the Roman empire. He was naturally cruel and fond of indulging his licentious propensities. Desirous of being likened to Hercules, he adorned his shoulders with a lion’s skin, and carried a knotted club in his hand. He fought with the gladiators, and boasted of his skill in killing wild beasts in the amphitheatre. He was strangled by a wrestler in the thirty-first year of his age, A.D. 192.
Co´mus. The god of revelry, feasting, and nocturnal amusements. He is represented as a drunken young man with a torch in his hand.
Concor´dia. The goddess of peace and concord at Rome, to whom Camillus raised a temple in the Capitol.
Confu´cius. A Chinese philosopher, as much honored amongst his countrymen as if he had been a monarch. He died about 499 years B.C.
Co´non. A famous general of Athens, son of Timotheus. He was made governor of all the islands of the Athenians, and was defeated in a naval battle by Lysander. He defeated the Spartans near Cnidos, when Pisander, the enemy’s admiral, was killed. He died in prison B.C. 393.