OpenLLM-France/wikimedia huggingface dataset:
# Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century/Demetrias

​Demetrias, a Roman virgin to whom Jerome wrote his treatise (Ep. 130, ed. Vall.) on the keeping of virginity. Her family was illustrious at Rome, her grandmother Proba (who is much praised by Jerome) having had three sons, all consuls. Demetrias had in early life wished to take the vow of virginity, but feared her parents' opposition. They, however, fully approved, and it gladdened all the churches of Italy. Her father having died just before the sack of Rome by Alaric, the family sold their property and set sail for Africa, witnessing the burning of Rome as they left Italy; and, arriving in Africa, fell into the hands of the rapacious count Heraclian, who took away a large part of their property. Jerome exhorts Demetrias to a life of study and fasting; care in the selection of companions; consecration of her wealth to Christ's service; and to working with her own hands. He warns her not to perplex herself with difficult questions introduced by the Origenists; and recommends the study of Scripture. He exhorts her to prefer the coenobitic to the hermit life, and bears testimony, as he had done 30 years before to Eustochium, to the excellence of the virgin-state, notwithstanding the attacks made upon it.
[W.H.F.]
# Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century/Demophilus

​Demophilus, bp. of Constantinople, A.D. 370; expelled 380; died 386; formerly bp. of Berea; born of good family in Thessalonica (Philostorg. H. E. ix. 14). On the death of Eudoxius in 370 he was elected by the Arians to the bishopric of Constantinople (Socr. H. E. iv. 14; Soz. H. E. vi. 13). The people, however, were much divided (Philostorg. H. E. ix. 10). The orthodox party chose Evagrius for their bishop, and he was ordained by Eustathius, the deposed bp. of Antioch. This was the signal for an outburst of fury on the part of the Arians. Eustathius and Evagrius were banished by Valens, and their followers bitterly persecuted (Socr. H. E. iv. 14, 16; Soz. H. E. vi. 13, 14). Demophilus, soon after his accession, went to Cyzicus in conjunction with Dorotheus, or Theodorus, of Heraclea, to procure the election of an Arian bishop, that see having been vacant since the banishment of Eunomius. But the people of Cyzicus refused to acknowledge them till they had anathematized Aetius, Eunomius, and their followers. They were then permitted to ordain a bishop chosen by the people. The bishop who was ordained straightway and clearly taught the consubstantial faith (Philostorg. H. E. ix. 13).
In 380 changed times came and made the reign of Theodosius I. and the patriarchate of Demophilus memorable. The emperor Theodosius offered to confirm him in his see, if he would subscribe the Nicene Creed. Demophilus refused, and was immediately ordered to give up his churches. He then called his followers together, and retired, with Lucius of Alexandria and others, to a place of worship without the walls (Socr. H. E. v. 7). The churches of Constantinople, which had for forty years been in Arian hands, were now restored to the orthodox; and similarly in other cities. It was, in fact, a general dis-establishment of Arianism and re-establishment of Catholicism. Philostorgius (H. E. ix. 19) adds that Demophilus went to his own city, Berea. But this must have been some time afterwards, or he must have returned from exile, for he represented the Arian party at the synod held in Constantinople, A.D. 383 (Socr. H. E. v. 10; Soz. H. E. vii. 12). The same writer says that Demophilus was wont to throw everything into confusion, especially the doctrines of the church, and quotes from a sermon at Constantinople, in which he spoke of the human nature of the Saviour as lost in the divine, as a glass of milk when poured into the sea. Philostorg. Patrol. Gk. lxv.; Soz. and Socr. Patrol. Gk. lxvii.
[P.O.]
# Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century/Daniel (9) the Stylite

​Daniel (9) the Stylite, of the 5th cent., was a Mesopotamian by birth, and in his youth had visited Symeon the Stylite. After having ​lived a monastic life in convents for several years, at the age of 47 he received as a legacy the cowl of Symeon, and established his pillar 4 miles N. of Constantinople. The patriarch Gennadius ordained him presbyter against his will, standing at the foot of his column. Then the patriarch, by means of a ladder, administered the Eucharist, and received it in turn from the Stylite. He lived on his pillar for 33 years, and died at the age of 80. He was visited with reverence by kings and emperors as an oracle; but discouraged all who brought complaints against their bishops. Towards the end of his life, solicited eagerly by both sides, he took part in the dispute between the emperor Basiliscus, a Monophysite, and Acacius patriarch of Constantinople. Descending from his pillar, he appeared in the city, denounced Basiliscus, and inflamed the people with such zeal that Basiliscus published an orthodox edict. The following is his prayer before he began his life on the pillar: "I yield Thee glory, Jesus Christ my God, for all the blessings which Thou hast heaped upon me, and for the grace which Thou hast given me that I should embrace this manner of life. But Thou knowest that in ascending this pillar I lean on thee alone, and that to Thee alone I look for the happy issue of mine undertaking. Accept, then, my object; strengthen me that I finish this painful course; give me grace to end it in holiness." In his last will to his disciples, after commending them to the common Father of all, and to the Saviour Who died for them, Daniel bade them "hold fast humility, practise obedience, exercise hospitality, keep the fasts, observe the vigils, love poverty, and above all maintain charity, which is the first and great commandment; avoid the tares of the heretics; separate never from the church your mother: if you do these things your righteousness shall be perfect." Baronius places his death in A.D. 489. Vita S. Daniel, ap. Surium, ad diem ii. decemb. cap. xli. xlii. xliii.; Robertson, Ch. Hist. ii. 41-43, 274; Ceillier, x. 344, 403, 485. Baronius, ed. Theiner, vol. viii. ad an. 460, § 20; 464, § 2; 465, § 3, 12, 13; 476, § 48, 50, 51, 53; 489, § 4.
[W.M.S.]
# Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century/Dativus (3), celebrated senator

​Dativus (3), celebrated senator, martyred under Diocletian Feb. 11, A.D. 304. In spite of orders to the contrary, a company of the faithful met in the town of Abitina, in the proconsulate of Africa, to celebrate Christian worship and communion, at the house of one Felix Octavius. Forty-nine men and women were surprised by the official and magistrates of the town. They marched cheerfully to their destination, chanting hymns and canticles, having at their head Dativus the senator and Saturninus the presbyter. They confessed Jesus Christ, were chained, and sent to Carthage. There the proconsul Anulinus examined them. Dativus, refusing to say who was the chief of their company, was tortured. As he lay under the iron, at a second examination, Dativus was accused by Fortunatianus, advocate, brother of the martyr, Victoria one of the arrested, of enticing her and other young girls to Abitina. Victoria, however, indignantly denied that she had gone there but of her own accord. The executioners continued tormenting Dativus, till the interior of his breast could be seen. He went on praying and begging Jesus Christ for patience. The proconsul, stopping the torture, asked him again if he had been present. "I was in the assembly," he answered, "and celebrated the Lord's Supper with the brethren." They again thrust the irons into his side; and Dativus, repeating his prayer, continued to say, "O Christ, I pray Thee let me not be confounded." And he added, "What have I done? Saturninus is our presbyter." Dativus was carried to gaol. Here he soon afterwards died. Many of his companions were also tortured, and most of them were starved to death in prison. Ruinart, Acta Sinc. Mart. p. 382; Ceillier, iii. 20, etc.; AA. SS. Bolland. Feb. ii. p. 513.
[W.M.S.]
# Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century/Damianus (2), martyr

​Damianus (2), M. [ Cosmas.]
# Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century/Demetrius (2), bishop of Alexandria

​Demetrius (2) succeeded Julianus A.D. 189, as 11th bp. of Alexandria (Eus. H. E. v. 22). He presided over the see for 43 years, and died A.D. 231-232 (ib. vi. 26). He appears to have been of an energetic and imperious nature. He took an active interest in the Catechetical School, and is said to have sent one of its early chiefs, Pantaenus, on a [second?] mission "to the Indians" on their own request (Hieron. de Vir. Ill. 36). After Clement had left Alexandria, he placed Origen at its head, c. 203 (Eus. H. E. vi. 5), and strenuously encouraged him to continue his work, when his indiscreet zeal had exposed him to misrepresentation (ib. vi. 8). Later (A.D. 217), he sent Origen to the Roman governor of Arabia, at the governor's earnest invitation (ib. vi. 19). Origen fulfilled his mission satisfactorily, but not long afterwards Demetrius's friendship for him was interrupted. [ Origen.] According to a late, and not very trustworthy, authority, Demetrius is reported to have written letters on the keeping of Easter, maintaining the view adopted at Nicaea (Eutychius, Ann. pp. 363 ff.; Migne, Patrol. vol. cxi.). Other legendary stories of his life are given in the Chronicon Orientale (pp. 72 f. ed 1685), and more briefly by Tillemont (Mémoires, Origène, art. vii. tom. iii. p. 225, ed. Bruxelles).
The statement that Demetrius first changed the singular ecclesiastical arrangement of Egypt, by appointing three bishops in addition to the bp. of Alexandria, who had formerly governed the whole province, is probably correct, though the only direct authority for it is that of Eutychius, patriarch of Alexandria, in the 10th cent. (cf. Lightfoot, Philippians, p. 230). Possibly this change was due to special views on church government, which may have influenced Demetrius in his harsh judgment on the ordination of Origen beyond the limits of his jurisdiction.
[B.F.W.]
# Dictionary of Christian Biography and Literature to the End of the Sixth Century/Dianius, bp. of Caesarea

Dianius or Dianaeus, for more than 20 years bp. of Caesarea in Cappadocia, a saintly man
much venerated in the early church, notwithstanding his somewhat doubtful orthodoxy. He was almost certainly the bishop who baptized Basil the Great on his return from Athens, and ordained him lector (Basil, de Sp. Sancto, 29, p. 357). Basil speaks of him in terms of most affectionate respect, describing him as remarkable for his virtues, frank, generous, and attractive from his amiability, venerable both in aspect and in character (Ep. 51 [84]). We see him, however, in these troubled times weak and undecided, led by his peaceful disposition to deprecate controversy, and by his feebleness to side with the strongest; destitute of strong theological convictions, and wanting the clearness of thought to appreciate subtleties of doctrine. He was, therefore, too often found on the semi-Arian side of the church. If, as Tillemont holds, he is the Danius who heads the list of bishops to whom pope Julius directed his dignified reply to the insolent letter addressed to him from Antioch, he took a leading part in the synod held at that city in the early months of a.d. 340, by which the deposition of Athanasius was confirmed, and George of Cappadocia placed on the throne of Alexandria (Epistola Julii, apud Athanas. Apolog. ii. p. 239). He also took part in the famous synod of Antioch, in Encaeniis, a.d. 341, and was present at Sardica, a.d. 347, where, according to Hilary (p. 29), he joined in the anathema against Julius and Athanasius. His weakness of character was still more fatally shewn when, after the council of Constantinople, a.d. 359, the formula of Rimini was sought to be imposed on the church by the authority of the emperor. To the intense grief of Basil, Dianius yielded to pressure and signed the heretical document. Basil could not hold communion with one who had so far compromised his faith, and fled to Nazianzum. It was reported that he had anathematized his bishop, but this he indignantly denies (Basil, Ep. 51 [84]). Dianius keenly felt the absence of his eloquent and able young counsellor, especially when Julian endeavoured to re-establish paganism. After two years he recalled Basil, and declared that he had signed the creed of Rimini in the simplicity of his heart, hoping to restore peace to the distracted church, with no idea of impugning the faith of Nicaea. Basil, satisfied with Dianius's explanations, returned to his former post of adviser of the bishop till his death, which occurred soon after, probably a.d. 362. [Basilius of Caesarea.]
[E.V.]
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Aiton, William Townsend

​AITON, WILLIAM TOWNSEND (1766–1849), botanist, the eldest son of William Aiton [see Aiton, William, 1731–1793], was born at Kew, 2 Feb. 1766. He was educated at Chiswick and Camberwell. At the age of sixteen he became assistant to his father, and attained some distinction as a landscape gardener, in which capacity he was employed by many of the nobility. On the death of his father in 1793 he was appointed to succeed him in the royal gardens at Kew and Richmond. He was much esteemed by George III and the royal family, and kept up a confidential correspondence with the Duke of Kent until the time of his death. On the accession of George IV Mr. Aiton was charged with the arrangement of the garden at the Pavilion at Brighton, as well as with many extensive and important alterations at Windsor. Many changes having taken place in the establishments of the royal gardens, he retired shortly after the accession of William IV to the charge of the Kew Botanic Garden and Pleasure Grounds, a post which he voluntarily resigned in 1841, still, however, living at Kew, but passing much of his time with his brother at Kensington; and it was at Kensington that he died on 9 Oct. 1849, being buried at Kew. In 1810–13 Mr. Aiton published a second and much-enlarged edition of his father's ‘Hortus Kewensis,’ in five volumes. In this he received a continuance of the help given to his father by Sir Joseph Banks and Dryander, while the latter volumes owe their scientific value to Robert Brown, who succeeded Dryander as curator of the Banksian herbarium. A useful epitome of this work, in one volume, was published in 1814. Owing, however, to the impossibility of keeping pace with the very rapid increase in the number of species brought into cultivation, neither of these works attained anything like the sale of the original edition. Mr. Aiton was one of the founders and an active fellow of the Royal Horticultural Society. To its ‘Transactions’ he contributed a paper on the cultivation of the cucumber, for which a silver medal was awarded him in 1817. A lithographed portrait by L. Poyot is in existence.
[Proceedings of Linnean Society, ii. 82–3; Postscript to 2nd ed. of Hortus Kewensis, v. 531–2.]
J. B.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Akerman, John Yonge

​AKERMAN, JOHN YONGE (1806–1873), numismatist and antiquary, was born in London on 12 June 1806. In early life he became secretary to William Cobbett; in 1838 to the Greenwich Railway Company; and subsequently to Lord Albert Conyngham (afterwards Lord Londesborough). In Jan. 1834, Akerman was elected a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. In the autumn of 1848 he became joint secretary with Sir Henry Ellis; and five years later, sole secretary of that society, and he held that post until 1860, when he was compelled by the failure of his health to resign it and the editorship of the ‘Archæologia.’ Akerman, though interested in the study of antiquities generally, took more delight in the special branch of numismatics. In 1836, at a time when there was no English periodical of the kind, he had the boldness to start, chiefly at his own expense, a publication called the ‘Numismatic Journal,’ two volumes of which appeared under his editorship. He helped to form the Numismatic Society of London, which held its first regular meeting on 22 Dec. 1836; Akerman was secretary from this date until 1860, and editor of the society's journal, first published in 1838 as the ‘Numismatic Chronicle.’ After 1860, Akerman resided constantly at Abingdon, where he died 18 Nov. 1873.
His contributions to numismatic and antiquarian literature consist largely of papers published in the ‘Numismatic Journal’ and ‘Chronicle,’ and in the pages of the ‘Archæologia.’ A long list of them may be found in the ‘Proceedings of the Numismatic Society for 1874,’ published in the ‘Numismatic Chronicle,’ vol. xiv. new series, pp. 16 ff., from which the following may be selected : ‘Numismatic Manual,’ London, 8vo, 1832 (and London, 8vo, 1840); ‘Introduction to the Study of Ancient and Modern Coins,’ London, 16mo, 1848; ‘Descriptive Catalogue of rare and Unedited Roman Coins,’ 2 vols. 8vo, London, 1834; ‘Coins of the Romans relating to Britain,’ 8vo, London, 1836 (enlarged edition in 1842, and again in 1844); ‘Ancient Coins of Cities and Princes,’ 8vo, London, 1846; ‘Numismatic Illustrations of the New Testament,’ 8vo, London, 1846; ‘Archæological Index for Celtic, Romano-British and Anglo-Saxon Remains,’ 8vo, London, 1847; ‘Glossary of Provincial Words and Phrases in Use in Wiltshire,’ 16mo, London, 1842; ‘Spring Tide, or the Angler and his Friends,’ London, 1850; ‘Wiltshire Tales,’ 12mo, London, 1853. In recognition of Akerman's published works and papers, especially of the series on the coins of the Romans relating to Britain, the gold medal of the French Institute was awarded to him, and he was also created an honorary member of several learned societies, among which were the Royal Academy of St. Petersburg and the Istituto di Corrispondenza Archeologica of Rome. Though Akerman's contributions to numismatics are in great part obsolete, he did good work in his day, especially in popularising the study of coins in England; and the Numismatic Society and its journal continue to prosper.
W. W.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Alan of Beccles

​ALAN of Beccles (d. 1240) was official secretary to Bishops Pandulf and Thomas de Blundeville of Norwich between the years 1218 and 1236. He became archdeacon of Sudbury in 1225. After this he was at Paris, as he is mentioned as one of the English of note who left the university of Paris in 1229 on the dispersion of the students in consequence of the riots between them and the citizens. In 1239 he was appointed one of the arbitrators between Bishop Grosseteste and his chapter on the question of visitation. In 1240 he is mentioned as giving way to the demands of the legate Otho for money, in spite of his previous firmness, as Otho succeeded by dividing his opponents. He died suddenly in 1240, and Matthew Paris, while acknowledging his eminence in literature, regards his death as a judgment for the injuries his conduct had caused to St. Albans.
H. R. L.
# Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Aiton, William (1760-1848)

​AITON, WILLIAM (1760–1848), sheriff-substitute of the county of Lanark, and, in his day, a widely known authority on all matters bearing on Scottish husbandry, was ​born at Silverwood, Kilmarnock, in 1760, a neighbourhood which he left in 1785 to go to Strathaven, Lanarkshire, where he practised for many years as a law agent. He next went to Hamilton, where he held office as one of the sheriff-substitutes of the county from 1816 up to 1822. He died in 1848. At no period did his income exceed a hundred a year, and yet out of this, with a family of twelve children, he educated four sons for liberal professions, often sending them his last guinea when they were students at college. His works are:
* ‘A Treatise on Moss-earth,’ Ayr, 1811.
* ‘General View of the Agriculture of the County of Ayr,’ Glasgow, 1811.
* ‘General View of the Agriculture of the County of Bute,’ Glasgow, 1816.
* ‘A History of the Rencounter at Drumclog and Battle at Bothwell Bridge,’ Hamilton, 1821.
* ‘An Inquiry into the Pedigree of the Hamilton Family,’ Glasgow, 1827.
* ‘Inquiry into the House of Aiton in Scotland,’ Hamilton, 1830.
[Inquiry into the Origin and Pedigree of the Family of Aitons in Scotland; Catalogue of Library of Faculty of Advocates.]
T. J.
# Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology/Cn. Acerronius Proculus

​ CN. ACERRO'NIUS PROCULUS, consul a. d. 37, the year in which Tiberius died (Tac. Ann. vi. 45 ; Suet. Tib. 73), was perhaps a descendant of the Cn. Acerronius, whom Cicero mentions in his oration for Tullius, b. c. 71, as a vir optimus. (16, &c.)
# Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology/Cleomenes 4.

CLEO′MENES,（Κλεομένης), the name of a physician introduced by Plutarch in his Symposiacon (vi. 8. § 5, ed. Tauchn.) as giving his opinion on the nature and cause of the disease called bulimia, in the first century after Christ. [W. A. G.]
# Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology/Cleomenes II.

CLEO′MENES II., the 25th king of Sparta of the Agid line, was the son of Cleombrotus I. and the brother of Agesipolis II., whom he succeeded in B. C. 370. He died in B. C. 309, after a reign of sixty years and ten months; but during this long period we have no information about him of any importance. He had two sons, Acrotatus and Cleonymus. Acrotatus died during the life of Cleomenes, upon whose death Areus, the son of Acrotatus, succeeded to the throne. [Areus I.;Cleonymus.] (Diod. xx. 29; Plut. Agis 3; Paus. i. 13. § 3, iii. 6. § 1 ; Manso, Sparta, iii. 1, p. 164, 2. pp. 247, 248: Diod. xv. 60, contradicts himself about the time that Cleomenes reigned, and is evidently wrong; see Clinton, Fast. ii. pp. 213, 214.) [P. S.]
# Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology/Cocceianus, Salvius

COCCEIANUS SALVIUS, the son of the brother of the emperor Otho, was quit a youth at his uncle's death in A.D. 69. He was afterwards put to death by Domitian for celebrating his uncle's birthday. Plutarch calls him Cocceius, but Cocceianus seems the correct form. (Tac. Hist. ii. 48; Plut. Oth. 16; Suet. Oth. 10, Domit. 10.)