Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Batillum

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

BATIL'LUM or BATIL'LUS. A small shovel or fire pan, used as a chafing-dish, in which lighted charcoal was carried for the purpose of burning odoriferous herbs and frankincense. (Hor. Sat. i. 5. 36.) The example (Batillum/1.1) is from an original of bronze found at Pompeii.

2. A common shovel, or scoop for removing filth, rubbish, &c.; sometimes made of wood (Varro, R. R. i. 50. 2.), and sometimes of iron. Varro, R. R. iii. 6. 5.

3. A small and flattish pan, or dish, with a handle to it, employed as a crucible for assaying silver. (Plin. H. N. xxxiii. 44.) The example (Batillum/3.1) is copied from a bas-relief found on the Via Appia, the use of which is clearly identified in the original, by the representation of a bag of money beside it.

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  Batillum/1.1
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  Batillum/3.1