Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Bisellium

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

BISEL'LIUM. A state chair of large dimensions, sufficient for holding two persons (Varro, L. L. v. 128.); though there is every reason to believe that it was only used by one; as the several specimens found or represented at Pompeii are usually accompanied by a single foot-stool (suppedaneum) placed in the centre, similar to the example (Bisellium/1.1) here given, which is from a Pompeian bas-relief, and has its name, bisellium, inscribed above it. These chairs were used by persons of distinction, especially the Augustals, in the provinces, at the theatre, and other public places, in the same manner as the sella curulis was at Rome. Inscript. ap. Mazois. Ruines de Pomp. vol. i. p. 24. ap. Fabretti, c. 3. n. 324. ap. Grut. 475. 3.

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  Bisellium/1.1