orichalcum

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  14. orichalcum
Scope note
Brass (a copper-zinc alloy) that is rich in zinc; it is easy to cast, is ductile, and has a golden color. It was notably used by the ancient Greeks and Romans. According to legend, it was mined in Atlantis in ancient times. It used for jewelry and, according to Plato, to line the outer walls of the Temple to Poseidon on Atlantis. By Roman times, the alloy was used for coinage and jewelry. It is likely that references to the material have historically referred to various yellow metals or alloys, for example, perhaps to a naturally occurring alloy of copper and gold.
orichalcum
Accepted term: 22-Apr-2024