Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Acerra

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

ACERRA (λιβανωτρὶς). A small square box with a lid to it (arca turalis. Serv. ad Virg. Aen. v. 745.), in which the incense used at a sacrifice was contained. (Acerra turis custos. Ovid. Met. xiii. 703. Hor. Od. iii. 8. 2.) The illustration (Acerra/1.1) is copied from a bas-relief in the museum of the Capitol at Rome, on which various implements employed at the sacrifice are sculptured.

The incense itself was not burnt in the acerra, but the box was carried to the altar by an attendant of the priesthood, as shown by the annexed figure (Acerra/1.2), copied from a bas-relief at Rome. The box is carried in his left hand, a jug for pouring out libations of wine (capis) in his right, and the skin of a victim over the left arm. The incense, when used, was taken out of the box, and sprinkled upon the burning altar, for which the expression is libare acerra. Ov. Pont. iv. 8. 39. Pers. Sat. ii. 5.

2. According to Festus (s. v.), the same name was also given to a small portable altar placed before the dead, and on which incense was burnt. See the illustration to ARA TURICREMA, and compare Cic. Leg. ii. 24.

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  Acerra/1.1
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  Acerra/1.2