Tyrtaeus

Tyrtaeus, a Greek poet of the 7th century B. C, a native of Attica or of Lacedaemon. An ancient tradition recounts that, in the second Messenian war, the Spartans were commanded by an oracle to apply to the Athenians for a leader. In answer the Athenians sent Tyrtaeus, a schoolmaster of low family and reputation, and deformed, as the most unfit person they could select for the purpose; but he so inspired the Spartans with his war songs, that the Messenians were subdued. His poems were of two kinds: marching songs in anapaestic measures, to be sung with the music of the flute, and elegiac exhortations to constancy and courage. The fragments of them are in Gaisford's Poetm Minores Groeci (translated into English verse by Polwhele, 1786-'92), and in Bergh's Poetoe Lyrici Groeci (3d ed., Leipsic, 1866). They have been newly collected and annotated by A. Lami (Leghorn, 1874).

Tzana, Or Dembea

Tzana, Or Dembea, a lake of Abyssinia, in lat. 12° N., Ion. 37° 15' E., in a fertile grain-producing region, 6,110 ft. above the sea. It is 50 m. long, 25 m. wide, has a depth in some places of 600 ft., and contains several islands, some of which are inhabited. It receives numerous streams, and is traversed in the S. part by the Abai, the Nile of Bruce.

Tzar

See Czar.

Ubaldino Peruzzi

Ubaldino Peruzzi, an Italian statesman, born in Florence, April 2, 1822. He took his degree as an advocate at Siena in 1840, and subsequently graduated at the school of mines in Paris. In 1848 he was sent to Vienna to demand the release of prisoners on behalf of the Tuscan government, and afterward became gonfaloniere of Florence, but was removed in 1850. He contributed by his writings to the overthrow of the reigning house of Tuscany, became a member of the provisional government in April, 1859, and was afterward envoy to Paris. He continued to represent his native city in parliament. In 1860, when Tuscany was joined to Victor Emanuel's dominions, he was elected as a member for Florence to the parliament of Turin. In 1861-2 he was minister of public works, and subsequently of the interior till September, 1864, when the Minghetti administration was overthrown.

Ucayall

See Amazon, and Peru.

Uccello (Paolo Di Dono)

Uccello (Paolo Di Dono), an Italian painter, born in Florence about 1390, died about 1472. He was called Uccello from his predilection for birds. He was the first painter to develop the principles of perspective. He painted principally in fresco. Few of his works remain.

Uchees

Uchees, a small tribe of American Indians, first found on both sides of the Savannah river as far down as the Ogeechee. They were civil, orderly, and industrious, and their women were noted for chastity. In the troubles about the time of the Yemassee war they moved to the Chattahoochee, and finally were merged in the Creek confederacy, emigrating with them to the Indian territory. Though long identified with the Creeks, they retain their own language and customs. The former is peculiarly harsh and guttural.