(2 syl.). The Romans called a man who revered his father pius; hence Antoninus was called pius, because he requested that his adopted father (Hadrian) might be ranked among the gods. AEneas was called pius because he rescued his father from the burning city of Troy. The Italian word pietà (q.v.) has a similar meaning.
Robert, son of Hugues Capet, (971, 996-1031.)
Eric IX. of Sweden. (*, 1155-1161.)
Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
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