AQUILA. See ASTRONOMY.
AQUILA (Ἀχιλλεύς), a native of Pontus, who flourished about A.D. 130, celebrated for his translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek. His history is involved in much obscurity: but, according to the account of Epiphanius (De Pond. et Mens. c. 15), he was a kinsman of the Emperor Hadrian, who employed him in rebuilding Jerusalem (Ἔλῃ Capitolina). He was converted to Christianity, but on being reproved for practising the pagan astrology, he apostatized to Judaism. His version was very literal, and was used in place of the Septuagint in the synagogues. (Norell. 146.) Though the Christians generally disliked it, Jerome and Origen sometimes speak in its praise. The second edition was named κατὰ ἀκρίβαν, for its literal accuracy. The few fragments that remain are published in the Hexapla of Origen, and in Dathe's Opuscula, Lips. 1746.