(ξύλον θύϊνον, the tree being ἡ θυία or θύα, rarely τὸ 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, 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.