The Eight Houses (Parallel Brazil)

The Eight Houses, originally referred to as the Eight Houses of Lotus or the Octodomi, is the name given to the eight biggest higher education institutions based in Brazil during the colonial period. These institutions are among the most prestigious and excellence in Brazil and in the world and among the oldest in the Americas.

Their motto is " Libido Sciendi " (Latin: Desire for Knowledg).

Etymology
The name originated from a poem writen by Benjamin Viana in 1779, The Houses of Lotus, which glorified the excellence of these institutions as they enlighten the world with ideas and knowledge. The allegory with the asian lotus flower came from its association with the legendary Lotos tree of Greek mythology.

In the Odyssey, lotus was a flower-shaped food, with soft smell of honey, that makes the person who eat it forget its mission. Odysseus sent three men to explore the island, called the Lland of the Lotus-Eaters. These men wanted not to return to the ships, being dragged by force, crying. Odysseus was quickly quit the island before other men could the lotuses and did not want to return home.

The allegory of the lotus, according to Viana, was that in eight houses the men forget their missions missions and delivered to the burning lust for knowledge and learning.

The term became popular during the 19th century and ended officially in 1862. Today, it is recognized in the nomenclature of the organs associated with such institutions as the academic publisher Oito Casas (portuguese for Eight Houses), the scientific journal Octodomi and Eight Houses of Lotus Foundation.

Members
Founded by local governments and private enterprises, these institutions are public, although with activities related to private capital.

Medici University, in New Florence, Ilhéus.
(Universitas Medicensis)

Motto: Suae quisque meretur scire (Latin: Everyone deserves to know.)

Founded in 1531, it is the oldest university in the Americas.

Heraclion Science Academy, in Heraclion, Santa Sofia.
(Scientiarum Academiae Herakleonensis)

Motto: Usque ad siders peruenire (Latin: To reach the stars)

It Was founded in 1609.

Cabralia University, in Veraluna, Paraíba.
(Universitas Cabraliensis)

Motto: Scientia supra nos (Latin: Knowledge above ourselves)

It was founded in 1614.

Royal University of the Magisterium, Salvador, Bahia.
(Regia Universitas Magisteriae)

Motto: Pro Deus, Pro Regis, Pro Nobis (Latin: For God, for the king, for ourselves)

It was founded in 1620 by a decree of the Magisterium.

Hellenistic Academy, in Aphrodisia, Paraná.
(Academia Hellenistica)

Motto: Ευλόγησε μας, σοφία! (Greek . "Evlógise but sofía", Bless us, Wisdom!)

It was founded in 1632.

Maurician University, in Recife, Pernambuco.
(Universitas Mauriciensis)

Motto: Wir alle verblassen, aber Wissen macht each ewiges (German: We dispair, but knowledge makes us eternal)

It was founded in 1640 by Maurice of Nassau during the Dutch Invasions and expanded after the Last Flemish War.

Fluminense University, in Rio de Janeiro.
(Universitas Fluminensis)

Motto: ''Veritas. Supra omnes, veritas.'' (Latin: The truth. Above all, the truth.)

It was founded in 1688.

University of Minas
(Universitas ex Fodinis Generalis)

Motto: ''Mentes jovens, novas ideias. ''(Portuguese: Young minds, new ideas)

It was founded in 1723.