Thyine Wood (ξύλον θύϊνον, the tree being ἡ θυία or θύα, rarely τ ὸ θύον)
Thyine wood is mentioned among the precious wares of the Apocalyptic Babylon, i.e. Rome (Revelation 18:12). It was a hard, dark brown, aromatic wood, exported from N. Africa and used for the making of costly furniture (Theophrastus, Hist. Plant . v. iii. 7; Diod. v. 46; Pliny, HN [Note: N Historia Naturalis (Pliny).] XIII. xxx. 16). It is commonly identified with the Thuia articulata. The Greek name (probably from θύω) refers to the fragrance of the wood, which was burned as a perfume (Hom. Od. v. 60). The Romans called it citrus -probably a mutilation of cedrus -which must not be confounded with the citron. ‘ All thyine wood’ refers, not to different species of the tree, but to the variety of objects made of this precious wood in the luxurious Imperial city.
James Strahan.