Hesychius
（
Ἡσύχιος).
1.
A Greek grammarian of Alexandria, who lived probably towards the end of the fourth century
A.D. He composed, with the assistance of the works of earlier lexicographers (especially the
Περιεργοπένητες of Diogenianus), a lexicon (
Γλῶσσαι), which has come down to us in a very confused form, but is
nevertheless among the most important sources of our knowledge of the Greek language, and
throws much light on the interpretation and criticism of Greek poets, orators, historians,
and physicians. Editions by Alberti and Ruhnken
(Leyden, 1746-66), with
additions by Schon
(Leipzig, 1792); and by M. Schmidt
(5 vols.
1858-61). The Christian glosses, which are interpolations, have been separately edited
by Ernesti
(Leipzig, 1785). See Ranke,
De Lex. Hesych. Vera
Origine (Quedlinburg, 1831).
2.
A Milesian, called Illustris, who lived about A.D. 540, and wrote an
Onomasticon or biography of illustrious men
(ed. by Orelli,
1820), and a
Chronicon or synopsis of universal history, in six
parts, beginning with Belus, the alleged founder of the Assyrian State, and ending with the
death of the Byzantine emperor, Anastasius I. (A.D. 518). The latter work is lost. See
Krumbacher,
Grundriss der byzantinischen Literatur (in I. Müller's
Handbuch, vol. ix.), pp. 110 foll.
