Academic Calendars. Because dates are subject to change due to interdependence, below is the most up-to-the-minute edition maintained by University Registrar personnel. Critical items such as semesters' start and end, registration periods and school holidays are corrected dynamically whenever changes occur.
For other uses, see Omphalos (disambiguation). An omphalos (á½Î¼ÏÎ±Î»ÏÏ) is a religious stone artifact, or baetylus. In Greek, the word omphalos means navel. In Greek lore, Zeus sent two eagles across the world to meet at its center, the navel of the world. Omphalos stones marking the centre were erected in several places about the Mediterranean Sea; the most famous of those was at Delphi. Omphalos is also the name of the stone given to Cronus. In the ancient world of the Mediterranean, it was a powerful religious symbol. Omphalos Syndrome refers to the belief that a place of geopolitical power and currency is the most important place in the world.
Spinel is a hard vitreous magnesium aluminium oxide that has been used as a gemstone for centuries. The beauty of spinel has caused it to be mistaken for ruby and sapphire in the past. However, spinel deserves to be recognized as a gemstone that is worthy of appreciation in its own right.he name spinel is thought to have come from either the Latin word, spina, meaning thorn, due to its pointed crystal form, or the Greek word for spark, in reference to its bright colour. Spinel has been mined for centuries and one of the most famous historical spinel gemstones is known as the Black Prince's Ruby.