ARIAS MONTANO, BENITO, or ARIAS MONTANUS, BENEDICTUS, a learned Spaniard, was born at Frexenal in 1527, and died at Seville in 1598. After pursuing his linguistic studies in various parts of Europe, he settled down to his literary labours in the mountains of Andalusia. He edited the Antwerp Polyglot Bible, in 8 vols., 1572 ; and gave an interlinear translation of the Hebrew, as also of the Greek of the N. T., which Walton introduced into his Polyglot, and which has often been reprinted. Besides this many other works intended to facilitate the study of the Holy Scriptures proceeded from his pen. The most important are Commentaria in 12 PropheLOS, Antw. 1571; Elucidationes in 4 Evangelic, Antw, 1573; Comm. iza Librum Antw. 1583 Elucidationes in Act. App., in App. Scripta et in Apocalypsin, Ant. 1588 ; Comment. in Lib. .7udi cum, Abt. 1592 ; Comment. in Esaiu Sermons, Ant. Comment. in 30 primes Psalmos,
Ant. 1605 ; Antiquitates yuclaicce, Ant. 1593, which have been incorporated in the Critici Sacri; Benj. Tudelensis Itinerarium, Ben. Aria Montano interprete, Ant. 1575. Simon speaks in depreciating terms of his translations of the Scrip tures, and even goes the length of calling him " ineptissimus interpres" (His!. Crit. du V. T. Bk. ii. ch. 2o). The judgment of Campbell is equally severe (Frel. Dirs. to Four Gospels, Diss. x. 2), and it must be confessed with reason, his translations being so slavishly literal as to be not only barbarous but often ridiculous. His commentaries are not characterized by much exegetical ability, but they display the author's learning and candour. They have had the distinction of a place in the Index Expurgatoriu.r.—W. L. A.