Page:Collier's New Encyclopedia v. 10.djvu/78

TYRANT 60 TYROL Asa-gods persuaded the wolf Fenrir to allow himself to be bound with the band- age Gleipnir, Tyr put his right hand in the wolf's mouth, as a pledge that he would be loosened; and when the gods refused to release him, the wolf bit off Tyr's hand to the wrist, which was called, in consequence, Ulflithr, or the Wolf's Joint. In the twilight battle of the gods, he meets his death at the same time with his enemy, the monster dog Garmr. TYRANT, originally, one who obtained supreme or absolute power by usurpa- tion, or who derived it from one who had obtained such power by usurpation, and maintained it by force, though he might exercise his power with strict modera- tion. Specifically, a monarch, or other ruler or governor, who takes advantage of his power to oppress his subjects or fellow citizens; one who exercises unlaw- ful authority, or legal authority in an unlawful manner; one who acts toward those who are subordinate to him in a manner which law and humanity do not authorize, or which the purposes of gov- ernment or policy do not require; a despot; a cruel task master; an op- pressor. TYRE, in ancient geography, a fa- mous city of antiquity, on the coast of Phoenicia, 24 miles to the S. of Sidon. The first city of Tyre was built on the mainland, but the second and more im- portant city was erected on an island about a mile long, running parallel with the shore, but separated from it by a strait of the Mediterranean a mile wide. The city covered the whole island, and was of extraordinary magnificence and beauty, while its wealth made it the envy of all surrounding nations. Tyre had two capacious harbors, and the whole island was surrounded by a strong wall 150 feet in height. It was the emporium of all the commerce of the then known world, and the fleets of its merchant princes traded to all parts of the earth. The Tyrians were celebrated for their splendid dyes, especially of scarlet and purple, for their skill in all mechanical arts, their metallic work, industry, and commerce. In the time of David and Solomon, the Tyrian king, Hiram, main- tained friendly relations with the Israel- ites, and his people, as the importers and chief workmen of Solomon, greatly as- sisted that monarch in the building of his temple. Tyre is repeatedly mentioned in the Old Testament for its strength, wealth, and beauty, and is threatened with de- struction for its pride and grandeur. It was frequently subjected to the horrors of war, endured many long and fearful sieges and became nominally a tributary state to the Assyrians and Persians. Al- exander III. took Tyre after a seven months' siege of extraordinary difficulty, during which he constructed a mole con- necting the insular city with the main- land, in July, 332 B. c. Tyre was taken from the Saracens by the Crusaders, after a siege of five months and a half, June 20, 1123. Saladin sought in vain to retake it in 1187. The prosperity of Tyre was not finally destroyed till the conquest of Syria by the Turks in 1516. At present it is a poor town, called Sur, or Soor. It occupies the E. side of what was formerly the island, 1 mile long, and Vz mile from the shore, thus inclosing two so-called harbors separated by Alex- ander's causeway, which is now a broad isthmus. The only real harbor is on the N. ; but even this is too shallow to admit any but the smallest class of vessels. It is filled and the N. coast of the island lined with stone columns, whose size and countless number evince the former mag- nificence of the famous city. T YREE, an Argyllshire island ; one of the Inner Hebrides; 19 miles N. W. of lona. Having an area of 34 square miles, it is treeless and flat, with a mean eleva- tion of only 20 feet, except in the S., where three hills attain 400 feet. There are a score of fresh-water lakes. Nearly 40 Scandinavian forts dot the shores, and there are also a ruined castle, nine stand- ing stones, etc. TYRNAU, a town of Hungary, on the picturesque Waag Valley railway, about 30 miles N. E. of Pressburg. "Little Rome" it used to be called, and not in- appropriately, when it was the place of residence of the Hungarian primates. Its university (1635-1774) was trans- ferred to Pest. TYROL, a crown-land of the former Austrian empire; now a part of the Re- public of Austria and of Italy; between Bavaria on the N., Switzerland on the W., Italy on the S., and Salzburg and Carinthia on the E.; and embracing an area of 10,302 square miles, to which is administratively added Vorarlberg. 1,005 square miles, on the W. frontier; pop. before the World War about 1,000,000. The province is traversed from E. to W. by the three chains of the Alps; the central chain (11,000 to 12,500 feet), which is crossed by the road over the Brenner Pass (4,588 feet), the principal line of communication between Italy and Germany, separates the German from the Italian side. The people are noted for their fidelity to the Catholic faith and their devotion to their country, but are somewhat backward in education. The romantic mountain scenery attracts thousands of visitors. The more impor-