Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Greek Law" to "Ground-Squirrel" / Volume 12, Slice 5

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Gutenberg ID

38202

Title

Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, "Greek Law" to "Ground-Squirrel" / Volume 12, Slice 5

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume from the 11th Edition of the Encyclopaedia Britannica offers concise, authoritative entries on diverse topics ranging from ancient Greek jurisprudence and mythical creatures to natural history and legal history. Written by various experts, the text provides a scholarly overview of subjects like the laws of Lycurgus, the biography of the Danish statesman Griffenfeldt, and the biology of ground-squirrels, serving as a comprehensive reference for general knowledge.

Summary up to 500 words

Volume 12, Slice 5 of the Eleventh Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica presents a diverse array of encyclopedic entries spanning classical jurisprudence, biography, natural history, and legal definitions. The volume opens with an extensive examination of Greek Law, tracing its evolution from the customary practices of the Homeric age to the written codes of early lawgivers. It details the legal systems of Sparta and Athens, analyzing concepts such as *dikē* (right) and *themis*, and explores the trial of Achilles' slayer as depicted in the *Iliad*. The text highlights the transition from oral tradition to written law, noting the contributions of Zaleucus and Charondas in establishing precise codes in Greek colonies. The volume then shifts to biographical sketches, most notably featuring Peter Schumacher-Griffenfeldt, the influential Danish chancellor. His career under Frederick III and Christian V is recounted, detailing his rapid rise to power, his diplomatic maneuvering to restore Denmark's status, and his eventual fall due to political intrigue and accusations of bribery. Despite a lack of treasonable evidence, he was condemned and spent twenty-two years in prison before his death in 1699. Other biographical entries include Gerald Griffin, the Irish novelist who abandoned his literary career for the priesthood, and Gerald Griffin, a city in Georgia known for its agricultural industry. Natural history entries explore phenomena such as ground-ice, which plays a crucial role in distributing seeds and animal life across vast distances. The volume also describes the ground-nut (*Arachis hypogaea*), detailing its cultivation, oil production, and chemical composition, as well as the groundsel plant and the ground-squirrel, distinguishing the latter from tree squirrels by their cheek pouches and migratory habits. Finally, the text provides comprehensive legal definitions for ground rent across Roman, English, Scots, and American contexts, explaining its nature as a perpetual lease or annual rent charged for land improvement. Together, these entries illustrate the breadth of 19th-century scholarship, blending classical studies, biography, and scientific observation into a unified reference work.

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Categories

• Encyclopedias and dictionaries