Chapter Eretrian Bull to Erra-Pater of E by Brewer's Readers Handbook

Eretrian Bull to Erra-Pater

Eretrian Bull (The). Menedemos of Eretria, in Eubœa, was called “Bull” from the bull-like breadth and gravity of his face. He founded the Eretrian school (fourth century B.C.). (See Dumb Ox, p. 306.)

Eric, “Windy-cap,” king of Sweden. He could make the wind blow from any quarter merely by turning his cap. Hence the phrase, “a capful of wind.”

Eric. Amongst the ancient inhabitants of Erin the eric was a fine which might be accepted as compensation for murder or homicide.

Erichtho [E.rik.tho], the famous Thessalian consulted by Pompey.—Lucan: Pharsalia, vi.

Erickson (Sweyn), a fisherman at Jarishof.—Sir W. Scott: The Pirate (time, William III.).

Erictho, the witch in John Marston’s tragedy called The Wonder of Women, or Sophonisba (1605).

Eridan, the river Po, in Italy; so called from Eridan or (Phaëton), who fell into the stream when he overthrew the sun-car.

So down the silver streams of Eridan,
On either side bankt with a lily wall
Whiter than both, rides the triumphant swan,
And sings his dirge, and prophesies his fall.
   —G. Fletcher: Christ’s Triumph [over Death] (1610).

Erigena (John Scotus), called “Scotus the Wise.” He must not be confounded with Duns Scotus, “the Subtle Doctor,” who lived some four centuries later. Erigena died in 875, and Duns Scotus in 1308.

Erigone , the constellation Virgo. She was the daughter of Icarios, an Athenian, who was murdered by some drunken peasants. Erigonê discovered the dead body by the aid of her father’s dog Mœra, who became the star called Canis.

… that virgin, frail Erigonê,
Who by compassion got preheminence [sic].
   —Lord Brooke: Of Nobility.

Erillyab, the widowed and deposed que en of the Hoame n, an Indian tribe settled on a south branch of the Missouri. Her husband was king Tepolloni, and her son Amalahta. Madoc, when he reached America, espoused her cause, and succeeded in restoring her to her throne.—Southey: Madoc (1805).

Erin, from ear or iar (“west”) and in (“island”), the Western Island, Ireland.

Eriphyle , the wife of Amphiaraos. Being bribed by a golden necklace, she betrayed to Polynicês where her husband had concealed himself that he might not go to the siege of Thebes, where he knew that he should be killed. Congreve calls the word Eriphyle.

When Eriphylê broke her plighted faith,
And for a bribe procured her husband’s death.
   —Ovid: Art of Love, iii.

Eriri or Ereri, Snowdon, in Caernarvonshire. The word means “Eagle rocks.”

In this region [Ordovicia] is the stupendous mountain Eriri.—Richard of Cirencester: On the Ancient State of Britain, i. 6, 25 (fourteenth century).

Erisichthon (should be Erysichthon), a Thessalian, whose appetite was insatiable. Having spent all his estate in the purchase of food, nothing was left but his daughter Metra, and her he sold to buy food for his voracious appetite; but Metra had the power of transforming herself into any shape she chose; so as often as her father sold her, she changed her form and returned to him. After a time, Erisichthon was reduced to feed upon himself.—Ovid: Metaph., viii. 2 (740 to end). An allegory of Death.