Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Armilla

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

ARMILLA (ψέλλιον or ψέλιον). An armlet for men, consisting of three or four massive coils of gold or bronze, so as to cover a considerable portion of the arm (Festus, s. v. Isidor. Orig. xix. 31. 16.), generally worn by the Medes and Persians, and also by the Gauls (Claud. Quadrigar. ap. Gell. ix. 13. 2.) as an ordinary part of their dress, and indication of rank and power. The armlet belonged likewise to the national costume of the early Sabines (Liv. i. 11.); and was frequently given as a reward of valour to the Roman soldier who had distinguished himself, to be preserved as a record, or worn as a decoration upon solemn occasions. (Liv. x. 44.) The example (Armilla/1.1) here given is from a bronze original which was discovered in a tomb at Ripatransona upon the arm of a skeleton.

2. (ἀμφίδεα, χλιδών, περικάρπιον). In a more general sense, any circle of gold, or ornamental ring, which females, and, more especially, the women of Greece, wore upon various parts of their persons, round the wrists, on the fleshy part of the arm, or above the ankle, all of which fashions are exemplified in the annexed figure (Armilla/2.1) of Ariadne, from a Pompeian painting. The Greek language had an appropriate term for each of these ornaments; but the Latin, which is not equally copious, includes all under the same name. (Plaut. Men. iii. 3. 3. Pet. Sat. lxvii. 6.) Where they are ascribed to men, as in Pet. Sat. xxxii. 4. and Mart. Ep. xi. 21. 7., it is to ridicule in the first instance the vulgar ostentation of a parvenu, and in the latter to characterise a womanly effeminacy of manner.

3. An iron ring fastened upon the head of a beam, to prevent it from splitting. Vitruv. x. 2. 11.

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  Armilla/1.1
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  Armilla/2.1