GRECIA, MAONA. See MAGNA GRIECIA.
GRiEVIUS, the Latinized form of GRAPE, Jourt GEORGE, 1632-1703; one of the most learned and laborious writers of his time, b. Saxony. He began his studies in the gymnasium of Pfota, and completed them at the university of Leipzig, under Rivinus and Strauch. Grmvius was led to the study of letters by his natural inclination, and every (lay he became more and more devoted to this pursuit. But his father wished that he should study the law • Strauch seconded this view, and Grxvius obeyed. though, with repugnance. lie had the curiosity to visit liblland; While 8iihasius, Heinsinai and Frederic Gronovius, were in the zenith of their reputation. The conversation of Gronovius revealed to hint the painful truth that his studies had been almost entirely unavailing, that he had been taught according to the principles of a bad school, and that he had no time to lose if he desired to correct the vices of its method of instruction. He entreated Gronovius to become thenceforth his guide; so, having abandoned juris prudence, he passed two years at Deventer, attending assiduously the lessons of his new master. He then proceeded to Amsterdam to hear Alexander Moms and David Blondel, whose counsels decided him to quit Lutheranism for the sect of Calvin. Grmvius, whose reputation had now begun to be extended, was, in 1050, called to the university of Duisburg.; and lie had been there two years, surpassing all the hopes which had been conceived of his talents, when Gronovius, who had entered the university of Leyden, so licited the magistrates of Derventer to appoint Grtevius his successor. They agreed to this application, and Grxvius, notwithstanding the efforts of the elector of Brandenburg, who, in order to retain him, offered an augmentation of fees, quitted a university for a simple gymnasium, influenced probably by a desire of living under a free government. After
a stay of three years at Deventer, he yielded to the solicitations of the university of Utrecht, which offered him the chair of history, then vacant by the death of .zErnilius. This satisfied all his ambition, and, content with his situation, he declined the invita tions of the magistrates of Amsterdam and Leyden, who twice attempted, by brilliant offers, to attach him to the schools in those cities. The elector-palatine, who wished to draw him to Heidelberg, was also refused; the kino. of Prussia was not more fortunate; and the republic of Venice, which offered him a chair in the university of Padua, had as little success, although, in the hope of inducing him to accept, it had promised him, besides considerable appointments, full liberty ou the score of religion, and complete protection against the inquisitors. But none of these offers could overcome his resolu tion. The eager desire of foreigners to obtain his services was justified by the great reputation which lie had attained as professor. Pupils crowded to his lectUres, not only from all Holland, but front all Europe. In Germany particularly, almost all the great lords sent their sons to be educated by him; and he reckoned amongst his auditors sons of princes and even kings;. for William III., who made him his historiographer, had confided to his care the young prince of Nassau. [Encyc. Brit., 8th edit.]