Laurentius Pittacus: Translation - Root Meanings Loren is a variant form of Lawrence, from the Latin Laurentius or Laurence, meaning "champion" or literally "from Laurentium." Laurentium is a city south of Rome known for its laurel trees that were used to make wreaths crowning champions. laureate - adj. [< L. laurus, laurel] honored, as with a crown of laurel - n. same as poet Laureate laurel - n. [< L. laurus] 1. an evergreen tree or shrub of S Europe, with large, glossy leaves 2. its foliage, esp. as woven into crowns 3. [pl.] fame; honor 4. any of various trees and shrubs resembling the true laurel Pittacus of Mytilene [pit'ukus] c. 650 - c. 570 BC, Statesman and sage who is known as one of the Seven Wise Men of ancient Greece. He collaborated with the brothers of the poet Alcaeus in the overthrow of the tyrant Melanchrus (612/611?) and distinguished himself as a commander in the war against Athens for Sigium, killing the Athenian commander, Phrynon, single-handedly. He was elected aisymnetes (dictator appointed during times of internal strife) by the Mytileneans (c. 590 BC) and served in that post for 10 years. Diogenes Laėrtius quotes a number of sayings ascribed to him (mostly moral or political maxims) and five lines of lyric verse, as well as a spurious letter to Croesus. Variants Forms: Laurent, Laurenti, Laurentine, Lorent, Lorenti, Lorentius, Pittuck