Smintheus

Smintheus or Zmin- (dissyl.), ĕi, m., = Σμινθεύς,

• an epithet of Apollo (from the Cretan σμίνθος, mouse, i.e. the mousekiller; or, as Aristarchus asserts, from Smintha (Σμίνθη), a town in the Troad, the Sminthean, Lact. 1, 7, 9; Ov. F. 6, 425; acc. Sminthea, id. M. 12, 585.—Hence,
• • • 1 Sminthēus, a, um, adj., of or belonging to Smintheus: spolia, i.e. Astynome, daughter of Chryses, priest of Apollo, Sen. Agam. 176.—
    • 2 Sminthius (Zmin-), a, um, adj., of Smintheus: mures (acc. to the myth, killed by Apollo), Arn. 3, 119; Dict. Cret. 14; 47: templum, Plin. 5, 30, 32, § 123.

Smintheus (Zminthe͡us), eī, Akk. eum u. ea, m. (Σμινθεύς), ein Beiname des Apollo, entweder von σμίνθος (im Kretischen = »Maus«), der »Mäusetöter, oder nach Aristarch richtiger von Smintha (Σμίνθη), einer Stadt im Trojanischen, der Sminthier, Apollo Smintheus, Hyg. fab. 106 (wo Schmidt Zminthei). Lact. 1, 7, 9 (Akk. -eum): bl. Smintheus, Ov. fast. 6, 425; met. 12, 585 (Akk. -ea). – Dav.: A) Sminthēus, a, um (Σμίνθειος), sminthëisch = apollisch, Sen. Agam. 176 (wo Peiper u. Leo Zminthea). – B) Sminthius, a, um (Σμίνθιος), sminthisch, Apollo, Amm. 22, 8, 3. Dict. 2, 14 u. 47. Serv. Verg. Aen. 3, 108: templum, Plin. 5, 123 (wo Jan u. Detl. Zminthium): mures, Arnob. 3, 33.

1 Sminthēus, a, um, de Smynthée, dʼApollon : Sen. Ag. 176.

2 Smintheūs, (16) ĕī ou ĕos (Σμινθεύς), m. , Sminthée, surnom dʼApollon : Ov. F. 6, 425 ; M. 12, 585.

Smintheus

(Σμινθεύς), a surname of Apollo, which is derived by some from σμίνθος, a mouse, and by others from the town of Sminthe in Troas (Horn. Il. 1.3.9; Ov. Fast. 6.425, Met. 12.585 ; Eustath. ad Hom. p. 34). The mouse was regarded by the ancients as inspired by the vapours arising from the earth, and as the symbol of prophetic power. In the temple of Apollo at Chryse there was a statue of the god by Scopas, with a mouse under its foot (Strab. xiii. p.604, &c.; Eustath. ad Hom. p. 34), and on coins Apollo is represented carrying a mouse in his hands (Müller, Ancient Art and its Rem. § 361, note 5). Temples of Apollo Sminthens and festivals (Smintheia) existed in several parts of Greece, as at Tenedos, near Hamaxitos in Aeolis, near Parion, at Lindos in Rhodes, near Coressa, and in other places. (Strab. x. p 486, xiii. pp. 604, 605.) [L.S]

Smintheus (disyl.), —, acc.ea, m, Σμινθεύς

• from Sminthe, a town of the Troad, the Sminthean, a surname of Apollo, O.

Smintheus

(Σμινθεύς). A surname of Apollo, which is derived by some from σμίνθος, “a mouse,” and by others from the town of Sminthé in Troas. The mouse was regarded by the ancients as inspired by the vapours arising from the earth, and as the symbol of prophetic power. This festival, which was celebrated at Rhodes, was called Sminthia (τὰ Σμίνθια). On the origin and significance of the name, see A. Lang, Custom and Myth, pp. 103 foll. (2d ed. London, 1885).