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all ahe bad promised to'a poor woman who had worked for her. This woman prayed to Minerva to avenge her, and bebold her prayers were heard. Alcinoe, by the care of this goddess, became 20 desperately in love with her lodger, that uhe left her home end little children, and embsrked with him. But during the voyage she reflected upon her condnet; and as che called to mind her young besband and her children, she wept in despair. All the promises of Xanthus to marry her were of ao avail to console her grief,—and she threw her- pelf into the sen, This story shows that the an- cient heathen had » true eense of the great impor tance of being just to the poor.
ALEXANDRA,
Queen of Judes, widow and successor of Alexander Jenneus, wise and virtuous princess, who, contrary to the example of her husband, studied to please her endjects, and preserved peace and prosperity daring her reign of seven years, She died in the seventy-third year of her age, B.C. 70. She was the mother of Hyrcanus and Aristobulus, and the latter years of her reign were disturbed by the attempt of her younger son, Aristobulus, to obtain the sovereignty, as he had been exasperated by the favour bis mother showed to the sect of the Pharisees, aud the authority she allowed them.
ALEXANDRA,
Daughter of Hyroatus, and mother of Aristobolus and Mariamne, wife of Herod the Grest, was s woman of superior powers of mind. When Herod appointed Anenel, person of obscure Birth, high-priest, instead of her son Aristobulus, who had s right to that office, her spirited con- duct canzed him to depose Ananel in favour of Aristobulas, Herod, displeased at her interfer ence, bad her confined and guarded in her own. palace; bat Alexandra, receiving an invitstion from Cleopatra to come to Egypt, with her son, attempted to escape with him, in two coffins; they were discovered, however, and brought back. Herod, jeslous of the affection of the Jows for Aristobulus, had him drowned, which so much affected Alexandra, that she at frst resolved on committing suicide; but finally decided to live, that she might revenge herself on the murderer, She interested Cleopatra in her cause, who induced Anthong to send for Herod to exculpate himself from the charge, which, by prosenta and flattery, bé succeeded in doing. And when Herod returned he again ordered Alexandra to be confined. But Alexandra showed great terror, if the account be true, and cowardice, when tho jealousy of Herod indaced him to order the death of his wife Mariame. Though she knew the innocence of her
, she was 80 much alarmed for fear sho should share the same fate, that she sought every
ity of traducing her, and praising the jastice of Herod.
‘After the desth of Mariamne, Herod's grief so svereame him, that he lost his hoalth, and was
at times deranged. While in this state, he retired to Samaria, leaving Alexandra st Jerusalem. Al- exandra attempted to obtain possession of the for- tresses nesr the capital, that sho might eventually ‘become mistress of the city; Herod being informed of her attempts, sent orders that she should be immediately put to death, which was done, about B.C. 27.
AMALTHÆA,
The name of the sibyl of Camm, who is said to have offered to Tarquin Il., or, The Proud, king of Rome, 524, nine books, containing the Roman destinies, and demanded for them three hundred pieces of gold. He derided her, for sapposing that he would give o high a price for her books; she went away and burning three of them, returned and asked the same price for the other six; this being again denied, she burnt three more, and offered the remaining three, without lessening her demand. Upon which Tar- quin, consulting the pontiff, was advised to buy them, These books, called the “Sibylline Oracles,” were in such esteem, that two magistrates ‘were created to consult them upon extraordinary occasions. The books, and the atory about them, were probably fabrications of the priests of Rome, to imposo on that auperstitious people, and in- crease their own importance, by occasionslly quot- ing and interpreting these oracles. The story is also of importance in showing the spiritual influ- ence the mind of woman exerted over that proud nation which owed its greatness to the sword. Even there the strength of man was fain to seek aid from the quicker intellect and more refined moral sense of women.
ANCHITA,
Wrre of Cleombrutus, king of Sparta, was mother of Paussnins, who distinguished himself st the battle of Platwa. Afterwards, he digusted hic countrymen by hie foolish and arrogant conduct, whom he slo agreed to betray to the Porsian King, on condition of receiving his daughter in marriage. His treason being discovered, he took refage in the temple of Minerva, from which it was not lawful to force him. His pursuers therefore blocked up the door with stones, the first of which, in the proud anguish of @ Spartan mo- ther, was placed by Anchite, Pausaniaa died there of bunger, B.C, 471.
ANDROCLEA,
Celebrated for her love to her country, was a native of Thebes in Bootia, That state was at war with the Orchomeniane, and the oracle de- clared that they would be victors if the most noble among them would enifer a voluntary death. Antiopeenus, father of Androclea, the most illus- trious person in Thebes, was not disposed to sucrifice himself, Androclea and her sister Alcis fulfilled this duty in their father’s stesd; and the grateful Thebans erected the statue of » lion to their memory in the temple of Diana.
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