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36-489: A leading scholar, he was the author of De Caesaribus et Imperatoribus and was also given a poet's laurel wreath by Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor . He was part of an intellectual circle that included Joachim Vadianus and Stiborius . He rendered important service as the discoverer and editor of classical and medieval historical texts. His unfinished Austria (1527-8) was an important historical-geographical regional survey of Lower Austria . In 1490 he matriculated at

72-675: A triumph . The emperors in the Julio-Claudian dynasty all sourced their Laurel wreaths from the original tree planted by Livia. It was taken as an omen of the impending end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty that in the reign of Nero the entire grove died, shortly before he was assassinated. Rome's second Emperor Tiberius wore wreaths of laurel whenever there was stormy weather because it was widely believed that Laurel trees were immune to lightning strikes, affording protection to those who brandished it. One reason for this belief

108-445: A high reputation as a collector and, to some degree, as an editor of ancient and medieval manuscripts. Among other publications, he edited in 1511 L. Florus , in 1515 the " Libellus de lapidibus " of Marbod , and the medieval chronicler Otto of Freising . Important as a contribution to the study of ancient history is the publication which first appeared, after his death in 1553, namely, the " Fasti consulares ", with which were united

144-442: A leaf. The leaves are glabrous, 6–12 cm (2–5 in) long and 2–4 cm ( 3 ⁄ 4 – 1 + 5 ⁄ 8  in) broad, with an entire (untoothed) margin. On some leaves the margin undulates. The fruit is a small, shiny black drupe-like berry about 1 cm ( 3 ⁄ 8  in) long that contains one seed. Laurus nobilis is a widespread relict of the laurel forests that originally covered much of

180-454: A priestess of Gaia (Mother Earth), and when he tried to seduce her she pleaded for help to Gaia, who transported her to Crete . In Daphne's place Gaia left a laurel tree, from which Apollo fashioned wreaths to console himself. Other versions of the myth, including that of the Roman poet Ovid , state that Daphne was transformed directly into a laurel tree. Bay laurel was used to fashion

216-452: A simple garnish . Whole bay leaves have a long shelf life of about one year, under normal temperature and humidity. Whole bay leaves are used almost exclusively as flavor agents during the food preparation stage. Ground bay leaves, however, can be ingested safely and are often used in soups and stocks , as well as being a common addition to a Bloody Mary . Dried laurel berries and pressed leaf oil can both be used as robust spices, and

252-490: Is a poultice soaked in boiled bay leaves. The Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder listed a variety of conditions which laurel oil was supposed to treat: paralysis, spasms, sciatica , bruises, headaches, catarrhs , ear infections, and rheumatism. In Greek , the plant is called δάφνη dáphnē , after the mythic mountain nymph of the same name . In the myth of Apollo and Daphne , the god Apollo fell in love with Daphne,

288-423: Is also the source of the words baccalaureate and poet laureate , as well as the expressions "assume the laurel" and "resting on one's laurels". Pliny the Elder stated that the laurel was not permitted for "profane" uses – lighting it on fire at altars "for the propitiation of divinities" was strictly forbidden, because "it is very evident that the laurel protests against such usage by crackling as it does in

324-436: Is an evergreen shrub or small tree , variable in size and sometimes reaching 7–18 m (23–59 ft) tall. The genus Laurus includes three accepted species, whose diagnostic key characters often overlap. The bay laurel is dioecious ( unisexual ), with male and female flowers on separate plants. Each flower is pale yellow-green, about 1 cm ( 3 ⁄ 8  in) diameter, and they are borne in pairs beside

360-688: Is an aromatic evergreen tree or large shrub with green, glabrous (smooth) leaves. It is in the flowering plant family Lauraceae . It is native to the Mediterranean region and is used as bay leaf for seasoning in cooking. Its common names include bay tree (esp. United Kingdom), bay laurel , sweet bay , true laurel , Grecian laurel , or simply laurel . Laurus nobilis figures prominently in classical Greco-Roman culture. Worldwide, many other kinds of plants in diverse families are also called "bay" or "laurel", generally due to similarity of foliage or aroma to Laurus nobilis . The laurel

396-460: Is because laurel crackles loudly when on fire. It led ancient Romans to believe the plant was inhabited by a "heavenly fire demon ", and was therefore "immune" from outer threats like fire or lightning. In modern Italy, laurel wreaths are worn as a crown by graduating school students. An early Chinese etiological myth for the phases of the moon involved a great forest or tree which quickly grew and lost its leaves and flowers every month. After

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432-538: Is his " De Turcarum origine, religione et tyrannide ". It was at that time that some of Cuspinian's earlier writings were irrevocably lost because the only copies of them had been kept in the famed Bibliotheca Corviniana at Buda , destroyed during the Ottoman conquest. Cuspinian's best work is " Austria, sive Commentarius de rebus Austriæ ", edited by Kaspar Brusch in 1553 with critical notes. A kind of diary (1502–27), which throws much light on his political activity,

468-637: The Mediterranean Basin when the climate of the region was more humid. With the drying of the Mediterranean during the Pliocene era, the laurel forests gradually retreated, and were replaced by the more drought-tolerant sclerophyll plant communities familiar today. Most of the last remaining laurel forests around the Mediterranean are believed to have disappeared approximately ten thousand years ago, although some remnants still persist in

504-737: The Mid-Autumn Festival . However, in English, it is often associated with the more well-known cassia ( Cinnamomum cassia , now known in Chinese as the 肉桂 or "meat gui ") while, in modern Chinese, it has instead become associated with the Mediterranean laurel. By the Qing dynasty , the chengyu "pluck osmanthus in the Toad Palace" ( 蟾宫折桂 , Chángōng zhé guì ) meant passing the imperial examinations , which were held around

540-468: The Sui and Tang dynasties , this was sometimes connected to a woodsman named Wu Gang , sentenced to cut at a self-repairing tree as a punishment for varying offenses. The tree was originally identified as a 桂 ( guì ) and described in the terms of the osmanthus ( Osmanthus fragrans , now known in Chinese as the 桂花 or " gui flower"), whose blossoms are still used to flavor wine and confections for

576-457: The University of Leipzig , went to the University of Vienna (1493) to continue his humanistic studies, and in 1494 entered there on a course of medicine. At this early age he edited the " Liber Hymnorum " of Prudentius , and made a reputation by his lectures on Virgil , Horace , Sallust , and Cicero . He was acquainted with Emperor Frederick III . In 1493, in reward for a panegyric on

612-552: The laurel wreath of ancient Greece , a symbol of highest status. A wreath of bay laurels was given as the prize at the Pythian Games because the games were in honor of Apollo, and the laurel was one of his symbols. According to the poet Lucian , the priestess of Apollo known as the Pythia reputedly chewed laurel leaves from a sacred tree growing inside the temple to induce the enthusiasmos (trance) from which she uttered

648-702: The " Chronicle " of Cassiodorus and the " Breviarium " of Faenius Rufus . Another valuable work of Cuspinian is the " History of the Roman Emperors ", prepared during the years 1512-22 (in Latin, 1540, and in German, 1541). For a long time, especially after the Battle of Mohács , he busied himself with the Turkish question and printed both political and historical writings on the subject, the most important of which

684-511: The Civil Wars and his close association with Apollo. Suetonius relates the story of Augustus' wife, and Rome's first Empress, Livia , who planted a sprig of laurel on the grounds of her villa at Prima Porta after an eagle dropped a hen with the sprig clutched in its beak onto her lap. The sprig grew into a full-size tree which fostered an entire grove of laurel trees, which were in turn added to by subsequent Emperors when they celebrated

720-432: The archives of the imperial family. As curator of the university, he exercised great influence on its development, although he was not able to prevent the decline caused by the political and religious disturbances of the second decade of the sixteenth century. He was on terms of friendship with the most noted humanists and scholars; the calling of his friend Conrad Celtes to Vienna is especially due to him. Celtes and he were

756-496: The desired height. Together with a gold form, L. nobilis 'Aurea' and a willow-leaved form L. nobilis f. angustifolia , it has gained the Royal Horticultural Society 's Award of Garden Merit . One of the most important pests affecting ornamental laurels is caused by the jumping plant louse Trioza alacris , which induces the curling and thickening of the edge of the leaves for the development of

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792-583: The family – a father and a son – acquired both town rights and the status of staple town for the village at the time. The most abundant component found in laurel essential oil is 1,8-cineole , also called eucalyptol. The leaves contain about 1.3% essential oils ( ol. lauri folii ), consisting of 45% eucalyptol , 12% other terpenes , 8–12% terpinyl acetate , 3–4% sesquiterpenes , 3% methyleugenol , and other α- and β- pinenes , phellandrene , linalool , geraniol , and terpineol . It contains lauric acid also. Both essential and fatty oils are present in

828-588: The fire, thus, in a manner, giving expression to its abhorrence of such treatment". Laurel was closely associated with the Roman Emperors, beginning with Augustus . Two Laurel trees flanked the entrance to Augustus' house on the Palatine Hill in Rome, which itself was connected to the Temple of Apollo Palatinus , which Augustus had built. Thus, the laurels had the dual purpose of advertising Augustus' victory in

864-414: The fruit. The fruit is pressed and water-extracted to obtain these products. The fruit contains up to 30% fatty oils and about 1% essential oils (terpenes, sesquiterpenes, alcohols , and ketones ). This laurel oil is the characteristic ingredient of Aleppo soap . The chemical compound lauroside B has been isolated from Laurus nobilis . Faenius Rufus Lucius Faenius Rufus , an eques Romanus ,

900-539: The heading spirits of the literary association called the " Sodalitas Litterarum Danubiana ". In 1515, Cuspinian was prefect of the city of Vienna . Emperor Maximilian, also Charles V at a later date, sent him on numerous diplomatic missions to Hungary , Bohemia , and Poland . He brought about a settlement of the disputed succession between the Habsburg line and the King of Hungary and Bohemia; another of his missions

936-402: The insect's nymphs , eventually creating a necrosed gall . The species is also affected by the scale insect Coccus hesperidum . In herbal medicine , aqueous extracts of bay laurel have been used as an astringent and salve for open wounds. It is also used in massage therapy and aromatherapy . A folk remedy for rashes caused by poison ivy , poison oak , and stinging nettle

972-493: The life of St. Leopold of Austria , he was crowned as poet laureate and received the title of Master of Arts from Maximilian. Soon after this he was made a doctor of medicine, and in 1500 rector of the university. Maximilian made him his confidential councillor and appointed him curator of the university for life. Cuspinian also received the position of chief librarian of the Imperial Library, and superintendent of

1008-535: The manuscript of Lazarus Secretarius and was published by Petrus Apianus the printer of Ingolstadt . Cuspinianus is buried in Vienna's Stephansdom . [REDACTED]  This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain :  Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). " Johannes Cuspinian ". Catholic Encyclopedia . New York: Robert Appleton Company. Bay laurel Laurus nobilis / ˈ l ɔːr ə s ˈ n ɒ b ɪ l ɪ s /

1044-611: The marriage of the children of Vladislaus II , his brother, to the grandchildren of Maximilian. Through this double marriage contract, Bohemia and Hungary passed to the House of Habsburg in 1526, on the death of Sigismund's nephew, Louis II – a result of enormous importance for later central and eastern European history for centuries to come. His literary activity covered the most varied domains. Although his poetical writings are of little importance, and his manuscript " Collectanea medicinalia " of no great value, nevertheless he attained

1080-590: The mountains of southern Turkey , northern Syria , southern Spain , north-central Portugal , northern Morocco , the Canary Islands and in Madeira . The plant is the source of several popular herbs and one spice used in a wide variety of recipes, particularly among Mediterranean cuisines. Most commonly, the aromatic leaves are added whole to Italian pasta sauces. They are typically removed from dishes before serving, although they may also be used as

1116-534: The oracular prophecies for which she was famous. Some accounts starting in the fourth century BC describe her as shaking a laurel branch while delivering her prophecies. Those who received promising omens from the Pythia were crowned with laurel wreaths as a symbol of Apollo's favor. The symbolism carried over to Roman culture , which held the laurel as a symbol of victory. It was also associated with immortality, with ritual purification, prosperity and health. It

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1152-464: The time of the lunar festival. The similar association in Europe of laurels with victory and success led to its translation into Chinese as the 月桂 or "Moon gui ". The laurel leaves in the coat of arms of Kaskinen , Finland ( Swedish : Kaskö ) may have been meant to refer to local flowering, but its origin may also be in the name of the family Bladh ( Swedish : blad ; 'leaf'); two members of

1188-418: The wood can be burnt for strong smoke flavoring . Laurus nobilis is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in regions with Mediterranean or oceanic climates , and as a house plant or greenhouse plant in colder regions. It is used in topiary to create single erect stems with ball-shaped, box-shaped or twisted crowns; also for low hedges. However, it is slow-growing and may take several years to reach

1224-664: Was praefectus annonae from AD 55 to 62. Tacitus reports that (unlike most holders of that office) he did not profit from it. With Tigellinus , he succeeded Sextus Afranius Burrus as praetorian prefect in AD 62. Rufus had a close association with Agrippina the Younger . In 65, however, he was executed for his part as a member of the Pisonian conspiracy against the Emperor Nero . This ancient Roman biographical article

1260-478: Was published in " Fontes rerum austriacarum " (1885), I, 1ff. A life of Cuspinian, not always reliable, is found in the complete edition of his works by Gerbelius (Commentationes Cusp., Strasburg, 1540); a more complete edition of his works appeared at Frankfurt am Main in 1601. In 1528 he published the manuscript map of Hungary he had found after 1526, presumably in Buda. The map was edited by Georg Tannstetter from

1296-508: Was to accompany Bona Sforza , the bride of King Sigismund of Poland, to Kraków . As a diplomat, he served as an envoy to Poland and Hungary and orchestrated the Habsburg and Jagellonian marriage alliance of 1515. In 1515, Sigismund I of Poland entered an alliance with the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian I. In return for Maximilian lending weight to the provisions of the 2nd Peace of Thorn, Sigismund consented to

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