The original meaning of the word was a sacrifice of a hundred oxen; but in early times it was applied generally to any great sacrifice, without any idea either of oxen or a definite number. Such great sacrifices were especially common in the worship of Zeus and Hera.
Copyright 2000-2020 Peter T. Struck.
No portion of this site may be copied or reproduced, electronically or otherwise, without the expressed, written consent of the author.