the act of reducing a solid body into a subtile powder; called also pulverization and levigation.

TRIUMPH, a public and solemn honour conferred by the ancient Romans on a victorious general, by allowing him a magnificent entry into the city. The greater triumph, called also curialis, or simply the triumph, was decreed by the senate to a general, upon the conquering of a province, or gaining a signal victory. The day appointed for the ceremony being arrived, scaffolds were erected in the forum and circus, and all the other parts of the city where they could best behold the pomp. The senate went to meet the conqueror without the gate called Capena or Triumphalis, and marched back in order to the Capitol; the ways being cleared and cleansed by a number of officers and tipstaffs, who drove away such as thronged the passage or straggled up and down. The general was clad in a rich purple robe, interwoven with figures of gold, setting forth his great exploits; his buskins were set with pearls; and he wore a crown, which at first was only laurel, but afterwards gold; in one hand he bore a branch of laurel, and in the other a truncheon. He was carried in a magnificent chariot, adorned with ivory and plates of gold, drawn usually by two white horses; though sometimes by other animals, as that of Pompey, when he triumphed over Africa, by elephants, that of Mark Antony by lions, that of Heliogabalus by tigers, that of Aurelian by deer. His children were at his feet, and sometimes on the chariot horses. The procession was led by the musicians, who played triumphal pieces in praise of the general. These were followed by young men, who led the victims to the sacrifice, with their horns gilded, and their heads adorned with ribbands and garlands. Next came the carts and waggons, loaded with all the spoils taken from the enemy, together with their horses, chariots, &c. These were followed by the kings, princes, and generals, who had been taken captives, loaded with chains. Next appeared the triumphal chariot, before which, as it passed, they all along strewed flowers, and the people with loud acclamations called out Io triumphe! The chariot was followed by the senate, clad in white robes, and the senate by such citizens as had been set at liberty or ransomed; and the procession was closed by the priests and their officers and utensils, with a white ox led along for the chief victim. In this order they proceeded through the triumphal gate, along the Via Sacra, to the Capitol, where the victims were slain. In the mean time all the temples were open, and all the altars loaded with offerings and incense; games and combats were celebrated in the public places, and the city became a scene of general festivity. The less splendid form of a triumph was called an Ovation; a term supposed to have been derived from ovis, because on such an occasion sheep, and not oxen, were usually sacrificed. The procession commonly began at the Albanian Mount, from whence the general with his retinue made his entry into the city. He walked on foot, wearing a garland of myrtle, and was attended by a band of music.

TRIUMVIR, one of three persons who govern absolutely, and with equal authority, in a state. It is chiefly applied to the Roman government. Caesar, Pompey, and Crassus, were the first triumvirs, who divided the government among them. There were also other officers so called; as the triumviri or tresviri capitales, who were the keepers of the public gaol. They had the office of punishing malefactors, for which purpose they employed eight lictors.