Athenæum
Webster's Dictionary [1]
(1): (n.) A literary or scientific association or club.
(2): (n.) A school founded at Rome by Hadrian.
(3): (n.) A temple of Athene, at Athens, in which scholars and poets were accustomed to read their works and instruct students.
(4): (n.) A building or an apartment where a library, periodicals, and newspapers are kept for use.
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature [2]
is a general name for the temples of Athena; a temple at Athens, dedicated to Athena, in which poets and orators assembled to recite their works and instruct the young. From this the name was applied to a school founded at Rome, on the Capitoline. Hill, by the emperor Hadrian, which long continued an institution of great influence. In the reign of Theodosius II it had ten professors of grammar, three of oratory, five of dialectics, one of philosophy, and two of jurisprudence. In -modern times the term is applied to literary institutions, public reading-rooms, lyceums, etc.
The Nuttall Encyclopedia [3]
A school of learning established in Rome about 133 by Hadrian.
