  The survey is devoted to associative $\Z_{\ge0}$-graded algebras presented by
n generators and n(n-1)/2 quadratic relations and satisfying the so-called
Poincare-Birkhoff-Witt condition (PBW-algebras). We consider examples of such
algebras depending on two continuous parameters (namely, on an elliptic curve
and a point on this curve) which are flat deformations of the polynomial ring
in n variables. Diverse properties of these algebras are described, together
with their relations to integrable systems, deformation quantization, moduli
spaces and other directions of modern investigations.
