Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Apex

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

APEX. Literally a pointed piece of olive wood, set in a flock of wool, which was worn on the top of the head by the Flamines and Salii (Festus, s. v. Albogalerus. Serv. ad Virg. A. x. 270.). It was fastened by a fillet on each side, or to a cap which fitted the head, as in the example (Apex/1.1), from a Roman bas-relief; whence the word apex is often put for the cap itself. Fabius Pictor ap. Gell. x. 15. 3. Liv. vi. 41.

2. (κῶνος). The ridge on the top of a helmet to which the crest of horsehair was affixed. (Isidor. Orig. xviii. 14. 2. Virg. Aen. xii. 492.) The apex itself is prominently shown in the annexed example (Apex/2.1), which is copied from a bronze original found at Pompeii; but a specimen, with the horse-hair crest attached, is given under the article GALEA.

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  Apex/1.1
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  Apex/2.1