Letters

( Greek ). Cadmus, the Phœnician, introduced sixteen; Simonidês and Epicharmos (the poets) introduced six or eight others; but there is the greatest diversity as to what letters, or how many, are to be attributed to them. Aristotle says Epicharmos introduced θ, χ; others ascribe to him ξ, η, ψ, ω. Dr. Smith, in his Cla ical Dictionary , tells us Simonidês introduced “the long vowels and double letters” (η, ω, θ, χ, φ, ψ). Lempriere, under “ Cadmus ,” ascribes to him θ, ζ, ψ, χ; and under “ Simon ides ,” η, ω, ξ, ψ. Others maintain that the Simonidês letters are η, ω, ζ, ψ. Letters ( Father of ), François I., of France, Père des Lettres (1494, 1515-1547). Lorenzo de Medici, “the Magnificent” (1448-1492).