Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Aspersio

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

ASPER'SIO. The act of sprinkling with water, as a purification, before making sacrifice to the gods below (Cic. Leg. ii. 10. Compare Ov. Fast. v. 67. Virg. Aen. iv. 635.); whereas the whole body, or the hands and face, were immersed previous to a sacrifice offered to the gods above. (Broüer, de Adorat. cap. 12.) This ceremeony was performed either with a branch of laurel; as in the example (Aspersio/1.1) from a medal, which represents Lucilla, the daughter of M. Aurelius, breaking off a branch to sprinkle the young children, whilst a priestess is drawing water from the river; or with a whisk made expressly for the purpose, as in the annexed engraving (Aspersio/1.2), also from a medal, and which the Greeks termed περιρῥαντήριον or ῥάντιστρον. The corresponding Latin term is unknown; for the word aspergillum, employed by modern philologists, is not supported by any ancient authority.

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  Aspersio/1.1
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  Aspersio/1.2