us explains the significance of the parts of the
human body when given to celestial beings: feet are ascribed to angels
to denote their unceasing movement on the divine business, and their
feet are winged to denote their celerity. He likewise explains the
symbolism of wands and axes, of brass and precious stones, when joined
to celestial beings; and what wheels and a chariot denote when furnished
to them,--and much more besides.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.--There is an enormous literature on Pseudo-Dionysius.
The reader may be first referred to the articles in Smith's
_Dictionary of Christian Biography_ and Hauck's _Realencyklopadie fur
protestantische Theologie_ (Leipzig, 1898). The bibliography in the
latter is very full. Some other references, especially upon the later
influence of these works, are given in H. O. Taylor's _Classical
Heritage of the Middle Ages_ (Macmillan, 1903). The works themselves
are in Migne's _Patrologia Graeca_, tomes 3 and 4, with a Latin
version. Erigena's version is in Migne, _Patrol. Lat._ t. 122. _Vita
Dionysii_ by Hilduin is in Migne, _Pat. Lat._ 106. There is an English
version by Parker (London, 1894 and 1897). (H. O. T.)

DIONYSIUS EXIGUUS, one of the most learned men of the 6th century, and
especially distinguished as a chronologist, was, according to the
statement of his friend Cassiodorus, a Scythian by birth, "_Scytha
natione_." This may mean only that he was a native of the region
bordering on the Black Sea, and does not necessarily imply that he was
not of Greek origin. Such origin is indicated by his name and by his
thorough familiarity with the Greek language. His surname "Exiguus" is
usually translated "the Little," but he probably assumed it out of
humility. He was living at Rome in the first half of the 6th century,
and is usually spoken of as abbot of a Roman monastery. Cassiodorus,
however, calls him simply "monk," while Bede calls him "abbot." But as
it was not unusual to apply the latter term to distinguished monks who
were not heads of their houses, it is uncertain whether Dionysius was
abbot in fact or only by courtesy. He was in high repute as a learned
theologian, was profoundly versed in the Holy Scriptures and in canon
law, and was also an accomplished mathematician and astronomer. We owe
to him a collection of 401 ecclesiastical canons, including the
apostolical canons and the decrees of the councils of Nicaea,
Constantinople, Chalcedon and Sa