MŪSĒUM

( μουσεῖον ), the name of an institution founded by Ptolemy Philadelphus, about B.C. 280, for the promotion of learning and the support of learned men. The museum formed part of the palace, and contained cloisters or porticoes ( περίπατος ), a public theatre or lecture-room ( ἐξέδρα ), and a large hall ( οἶκος μέγας ), where the learned men dined together. The museum was supported by a common fund, supplied apparently from the public treasury; and the whole institution was under the superintendence of a priest, who was appointed by the king, and after Egypt became a province of the Roman empire, by the Caesar. Botanical and zoological gardens appear to have been attached to the museum. MȲRĬI ( μυρίοι ), the name given to the popular a embly of the Arcadians, which was established after the overthrow of the Spartan supremacy by the battle of Leuctra, and which used to meet at Megalopolis in order to determine upon matters affecting the whole people.