Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Barbitos

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

BAR'BITOS and BAR'BITON (βάρβιτος, βάρβιτον, and βαρύμιτον. Jul. Poll. iv. 59.). A stringed instrument belonging to the class of lyres; but which was of a larger size and had thicker strings (Pollux, l. c.), and, therefore, produced louder and fuller notes than the usual instruments of that kind. In other respects, it was played in the same manner as they were, with the fingers and the plectrum, or quill (Claud. Proem. ad Epith. in Nupt. Hon. et Mar. 9. Auson. Epigr. 44.); and thus it may be regarded as an instrument which bore the same analogy to the lyre as our violoncello does to the violin. All these particulars make it highly probable that the figure (Barbitos/1.1) here introduced affords an authentic specimen of the ancient barbitos. It is copied from a Pompeian painting, where it stands by the side of Apollo, resting on a knob, like our bass viol, upon the ground, and reaching as high as half way up the figure.

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  Barbitos/1.1