Tyvan, any member of an ethnolinguistic group inhabiting the autonomous republic of Tyva (Tuva) in south-central Russia; the group also constitutes a small minority in the northwestern part of Mongolia. The Tyvans are a Turkic-speaking people with Mongol influences. They live among the headwaters

Towy River, river, southwest Wales, approximately 65 mi (105 km) long. Rising on the slopes of Esgair Garthen in the district of northwest Brecknockshire (Breconshire) in the county of Powys, it flows southward to Llandovery in a deeply incised valley. Below Llandovery it trends southwest in a

ci, in Chinese poetry, song form characterized by lines of unequal length with prescribed rhyme schemes and tonal patterns, each bearing the name of a musical air. The varying line lengths are comparable to the natural rhythm of speech and therefore are easily understood when sung. First sung by

Cixi: …and Xianfeng’s former senior consort, Ci’an, orchestrated a coup with Gong Qinwang (Prince Gong), the former emperor’s brother, the regency was transferred to Cixi and Ci’an. Gong became the prince counsellor.

Cizhou kiln, kiln known for stoneware produced in Handan (formerly Cizhou), Hebei province, in northern China, primarily during the Song (960–1279) dynasty. The kiln produced hard pillows, vases, bottles, and other vessels decorated with simple but marvelously assured brushwork in brown, black, or

Cixi was the consort of the Xianfeng emperor (reigned 1850–61), mother of the Tongzhi emperor (reigned 1861–75), adoptive mother of the Guangxu emperor (reigned 1875–1908), and a towering presence over the Chinese empire for almost half a century. By maintaining authority over the Manchu imperial

Tz’utujil, Mayan Indians of the midwestern highlands of Guatemala. The Tz’utujil language is closely related to those of the neighbouring Kaqchikel and K’iche’. The Tz’utujil, like neighbouring Mayan peoples, are agricultural, growing the Indian staple crops—corn (maize), beans, and squash. They

Kaqchikel language: Its closest relative is Tz’utujil. K’iche’ is also closely related. The Annals of the Cakchiquels (also called Anales de los Cakchiqueles, Memorial de Tecpán-Atitlán, or Memorial de Sololá), written in Kaqchikel between 1571 and 1604, is considered an important example of Native American literature. It contains both mythology and…

tzaddiq, one who embodies the religious ideals of Judaism. In the Bible, a tzaddiq is a just or righteous man (Genesis 6:9), who, if a ruler, rules justly or righteously (II Samuel 23:3) and who takes joy in justice (Proverbs 21:15). The Talmud (compendium of Jewish law, lore, and commentary)

tzaddiq, one who embodies the religious ideals of Judaism. In the Bible, a tzaddiq is a just or righteous man (Genesis 6:9), who, if a ruler, rules justly or righteously (II Samuel 23:3) and who takes joy in justice (Proverbs 21:15). The Talmud (compendium of Jewish law, lore, and commentary)

Judah Leone ben Isaac Sommo: …the first known Hebrew drama, Tzaḥut bediḥuta de-qiddushin (1550; “An Eloquent Comedy of a Marriage”), in which characters such as the pining lover, the comic servant, and the crafty lawyer reflect the influence of the Italian commedia dell’arte. Sommo’s experience as a playwright and producer of dramas for various noble…

pre-Columbian civilizations: Classic civilization in the Maya lowlands: Tzakol phase: …two chronological phases or cultures: Tzakol culture, which is Early Classic and began shortly before 250 ce, and the Late Classic Tepeu culture, which saw the full florescence of Maya achievements. Tepeu culture began about 600 and ended with the final downfall and abandonment of the Central Subregion about 900.…

tsar, title associated primarily with rulers of Russia. The term tsar, a form of the ancient Roman imperial title caesar, generated a series of derivatives in Russian: tsaritsa, a tsar’s wife, or tsarina; tsarevich, his son; tsarevna, his daughter; and tsesarevich, his eldest son and heir apparent

Tristan Tzara was a Romanian-born French poet and essayist known mainly as the founder of Dada, a nihilistic revolutionary movement in the arts, the purpose of which was the demolition of all the values of modern civilization. The Dadaist movement originated in Zürich during World War I, with the

tsar, title associated primarily with rulers of Russia. The term tsar, a form of the ancient Roman imperial title caesar, generated a series of derivatives in Russian: tsaritsa, a tsar’s wife, or tsarina; tsarevich, his son; tsarevna, his daughter; and tsesarevich, his eldest son and heir apparent

Sadducee, member of a Jewish priestly sect that flourished for about two centuries before the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem in 70 ce. Not much is known of the Sadducees’ origin and early history, but their name may be derived from that of Zadok, who was high priest in the time of

Sadducee, member of a Jewish priestly sect that flourished for about two centuries before the destruction of the Second Temple of Jerusalem in 70 ce. Not much is known of the Sadducees’ origin and early history, but their name may be derived from that of Zadok, who was high priest in the time of

Tzeltal, Mayan Indians of central Chiapas, in southeastern Mexico, most closely related culturally and linguistically to their neighbours to the west, the Tzotzil. The Tzeltal speak various dialects within the Maya language family. They live in an area that includes plains, gentle hills, and high

ceremonial object: Sound devices: …where they were known as metziltayim or tzeltzelim. The sistrum, used in pre-Hellenistic Egypt in the worship of the goddesses Isis and Hathor and in Rome and Phoenicia, as well as among the Hebrews, is composed of a handle and frame with transverse metal rods and mobile disks. Producing a…

John Tzetzes was a Byzantine didactic poet and scholar who preserved much valuable information from ancient Greek literature and scholarship, in which he was widely read. Tzetzes was for a time secretary to a provincial governor, then earned a meagre living by teaching and writing. He has been

Safed, city of Upper Galilee, Israel, that is one of the four holy cities of Judaism (Jerusalem, Hebron, Tiberias, Safed). First mentioned at the time of the Jewish revolt against Rome (66–70 ce), it is thereafter frequently referred to in rabbinic literature. Strategically situated in scenic hill

Kéa, westernmost of the Cyclades (Modern Greek: Kykládes) group of Greek islands in the Aegean Sea. It constitutes a dímos (municipality) in the South Aegean (Nótio Aigaío) periféreia (region). Kéa lies about 13 miles (21 km) east of the southern tip of Attica (Attikí). With an area of 50.4 square

Aharon Appelfeld: Badenheim 1939), Ha-Ketonet veha-pasim (1983; Tzili: The Story of a Life), Bartfus ben ha-almavet (1988; The Immortal Bartfuss), Katerinah (1989; Katerina), Mesilat barzel (1991; “The Railway”), and Unto the Soul (1994). Beyond Despair: Three Lectures and a Conversation with Philip Roth was published in 1994.

Isaac ben Solomon Luria: …is based on three concepts: tzimtzum (“contraction,” or “withdrawal”), shevirat ha-kelim (“breaking of the vessels”), and tiqqun (“restoration”). God as the Infinite (En Sof) withdraws into himself in order to make room for the creation, which occurs by a beam of light from the Infinite into the newly provided space.…

religious dress: Later religious dress: …tefillin (phylacteries) and tzitzit (fringes), which have certain features in common. The name phylacteries is sometimes thought to point to a prophylactic origin, but the term is actually a translation of the Hebrew word for “frontlets” (ṭoṭafot). Phylacteries are worn in obedience to the commandment found in Deuteronomy (11:18)…

Mayan calendar: …variously referred to as the Tzolkin (“Count of Days”), divinatory calendar, ritual calendar, or simply the day calendar. Within the Tzolkin are two smaller cycles of days numbered from 1 to 13 and an ordered series of 20 named days. Although the names for the ritual days differed throughout Mesoamerica,…

fast of Gedaliah, a minor Jewish observance (on Tishri 3) that mournfully recalls the assassination of Gedaliah, Jewish governor of Judah and appointee of Nebuchadrezzar, the Babylonian king. Gedaliah, a supporter of Jeremiah, was slain by Ishmael, a member of the former royal family of Judah. When

Tzotzil, Mayan Indians of central Chiapas in southeastern Mexico. Linguistically and culturally, the Tzotzil are most closely related to the neighbouring Tzeltal. The habitat of the Tzotzil is highland, with mountains, volcanic outcroppings, and valley lowlands. The climate at high altitudes is

Zisi was a Chinese philosopher and grandson of Confucius (551–479 bce). Varying traditional accounts state that Zisi, who studied under Confucius’s pupil Zengzi, taught either Mencius (Mengzi)—the “second sage” of Confucianism—or Mencius’s teacher. Texts dating to about the 2nd and the 4th

Sima Guang: …poet who compiled the monumental Zizhi tongjian (“Comprehensive Mirror for Aid in Government”), a general chronicle of Chinese history from 403 bce to 959 ce, considered one of the finest single historical works in Chinese. Known for his moral uprightness, he was learned in several disciplines and prominent in government.

Forbidden City, imperial palace complex at the heart of Beijing (Peking), China. Commissioned in 1406 by the Yongle emperor of the Ming dynasty, it was first officially occupied by the court in 1420. It was so named because access to the area was barred to most of the subjects of the realm.

ziran, in Chinese philosophy, and particularly among the 4th- and 3rd-century bce philosophers of early Daoism (daojia), the natural state of the constantly unfolding universe and of all things within it when both are allowed to develop in accord with the Cosmic Way (Dao). Chinese cosmologies

Zigong, city, southeastern Sichuan sheng (province), southwestern China. It is situated on the Fuxi River, a tributary of the Tuo River, about 40 miles (65 km) north of Yibin. Zigong’s prosperity long depended on its salt industry, and deep drilling for brine has been practiced in the area for

Zibo, industrial city and municipality (shi), central Shandong sheng (province), eastern China. The municipality is a regional city complex made up of five major towns: Zhangdian (Zibo), Linzi, Zhoucun, Zichuan, and Boshan. Each is now a district of the municipality. Zhangdian, in the north-central

Kekchí: …most important of these is Tzultacaj (Tzuultaq’ah), god of the mountains and valleys.

Tz’utujil, Mayan Indians of the midwestern highlands of Guatemala. The Tz’utujil language is closely related to those of the neighbouring Kaqchikel and K’iche’. The Tz’utujil, like neighbouring Mayan peoples, are agricultural, growing the Indian staple crops—corn (maize), beans, and squash. They

Kekchí: …most important of these is Tzultacaj (Tzuultaq’ah), god of the mountains and valleys.

biblical literature: German versions: … of Janów, known as the Tzʾenah u-Reʾna (Lublin, 1616), became one of the most popular and widely diffused works of its kind.

Tbilisi, capital of the republic of Georgia, on the Mtkvari (Kura) River at its dissection of the Trialeti (Trialetsky) and Kartli (Kartliysky, or Kartalinian) ranges. Founded in 458 (in some sources, 455), when the capital of the Georgian kingdom was transferred there from Mtskheta, the city had a

Tết, celebration of the Lunar New Year in Vietnam. The holiday likely has its origins in the observance of the Chinese New Year but has taken on its own unique meanings and observances in Vietnam. The festival follows a lunar-solar calendar and occurs at the end of January or in early February. For

Tết, celebration of the Lunar New Year in Vietnam. The holiday likely has its origins in the observance of the Chinese New Year but has taken on its own unique meanings and observances in Vietnam. The festival follows a lunar-solar calendar and occurs at the end of January or in early February. For