Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Aerugo

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

AERU'GO (ἰὸς χαλκοῦ). The bright green rust which bronze acquires from age, as distinguished from the brown rust of iron (ferrugo, rubigo, Cic. Tusc. iv. 14.). The older the bronze, the more bright and beautiful the colour becomes, which is considered to enhance its value; and on that account a statue of high antiquity was prized by the ancients far beyond one of more recent casting. Wink. Storia delle Arti, vii. 2. 10.