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An epithet (Greek — ''επιθετον'' and Latin — ''epitheton''; literally meaning 'imposed') is a descriptive word or phrase that has become a fixed formula. It has various shades of meaning when applied to real or fictitious people, divinities, objects and Biological Nomenclature . LINGUISTICS In has noted.W. Burkert, ''The Orientalizing Revolution: Near Eastern Influence on Greek Culture of the Early Archaic Age'' 1992, p 116. Some epithets are known by the Latin term ''epitheton necessarium'' because they are required to distinguish the bearers, e.g. as an alternative to ordinals after a prince's name — say Richard The Lionheart , or Charles The Fat alongside Charles The Bald . Still the same epithet can be used repeatedly, in different spheres of life and/or joined to different names, say Alexander The Great as well as Catherine The Great . Other epithets can easily be omitted without serious risk of confusion, and are therefore known (again in Latin) as ''epitheton ornans''; thus the classical Roman author Virgil systematically called the armsbearer of Aeneas, his main hero, ''fidus Achates'', the epithet being ''fidus'', which means faithful or loyal. In contemporary usage, ''epithet'' is also used to refer to an abusive or defamatory phrase, such as a Racial Epithet . There are also specific types of epithets, such as the '' Kenning '' which appears in works such as '' Beowulf ''. An example of a kenning would be the term '' Whale-road '', meaning "sea". Literature Epithets are characteristic of the style of ancient Epic Poetry , notably in that of Homer or the northern European sagas. See above, as well as Epithets In Homer . When James Joyce uses the phrase "the snot-green sea" he is playing on Homer's familiar epithet "the wine-dark sea".
RELIGION In many , {Link without Title} leader of the Muse s" and therefore patron of the arts and sciencesHence the word ''mouseion''= Museum ) while ''Phoibos'' Apollo is the same deity, but as shining sun-god. "Athena protects the city as ''polias'', oversees handicrafts as ''ergane'', joins battle as '' Promachos '' and grants victory as ''nike''."Walter Burkert, ''Greek Religion '' (Harvard University Press, 1985) III.4.4. "The special character of Greek anthropomorphism", especially p. 184. Alternatively the epithet may identify a particular and ''localized'' aspect of the god, sometimes already ancient during the classical epochs of Greece or Rome, such as a reference to the mythological place of birth or . Often the epithet is the result of fusion of the Olympian divinity with an older one: or Demeter . Some epithets were applied to several deities of a same pantheon, rather accidentally if they had a common characteristic, or deliberately emphasizing their blood- or other ties; thus in pagan Rome, several divinities (including demi-gods, heroes) were given the ''epitheton'' '' Comes '' as companion of another (usually major) divinity. An epithet can even be meant for collective use, e.g. in Latin ''pilleati'' 'the felt hat-wearers' for the brothers Castor And Pollux . Some epithets resist explanation.Burkert 1985:184. Similar practices still exist in Catholic and Orthodox Christianity in the veneration of Christ and, mainly, of the saints. " Our Lady Of Lourdes " is essentially Periphrasis , unless some aspect of the Virgin were being invoked. SECULAR MATTERS Politics and military In historical, journalistic and other writings, one often encounters epitheta, but it is worthwhile distinguishing different types. While the same rationale as in the genealogical section above may apply, in some cases posthumously politicians, unlike ordinary citizens, often have some control over public opinion and generally more of an interest in their image, so whether forged for themselves or contrived by opponents, their epitheta often carry a political message. Indeed while these differ from official titles as they don't express any legal status, epitheta have been awarded and adopted (though the official procedure may provide for the formal decision to be issued by another institution, such as a legislative assembly) by statesmen in power for fairly formal use, not unsimilar in purpose to various sinecures, knighthoods or peerage-type titles in post-feudal societies: they confer prestige without any legal authority, so essentially a matter of image or even propaganda, aimed at a domestic and/or foreign target audience. Examples of such epithets are the various traditions of Victory Title s (see there) awarded to meritous generals and rulers since Antiquity, and the epithets awarded to entire units, e.g. such adjectives as 'Fidelis' 'loyal' to various Roman legions. BIOLOGICAL NOMENCLATURE In and Three Part Names , the epithet will follow the name of the genus or the name of the species, respectively. This occurs in the name of a Species (consisting of a Generic Name plus a " Specific Epithet "), of a subdivision of the Genus , or of an Infraspecific Taxon , such as a Variety . Epithets exist not only in the '' ICBN '', but also in later ''Codes'' inspired by this such as the '' ICNCP '' and the '' ICNB ''. Examples
In Zoology the term epithet can be applied to both terms in the Binomial Nomenclature , first the Genus name as generic epithet, second to specify the individual animal species the specific epithet. CASUAL USAGE In casual usage, ''epithet'' also means a derogatory word or phrase used to insult someone although this euphemistic use is discredited by Martin ManserManser, Martin H. (2007), ''Good Word Guide'' sixth edition, A&C Black, 147 ISBN 978-0-7136-7759-1 and other prescriptive linguists. NOTES SEE ALSO
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