Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Casula

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

CA'SULA. Diminutive of CASA. Any very small cottage or humble dwelling in general; but, more especially, a temporary hut or cabin of a conical form, which sheep and goat herds erected on the lands where their flocks pastured; and agricultural peasants in the fields for their shelter at harvest time. (Plin. H. N. xxxv. 37. Juv. Sat. xi. 153.) The example (Casula/1.1) is from a Pompeian painting representing a rustic scene; and the illustration introduced in CAPRARIUS shows a goat-herd's hut of similar character. The second meaning belonging to this word is also an evidence of the first.

2. A hooded cloak or capote; such as was worn by the country people, and universally given to Telesphorus, the attendant of Aesculapius, as he is represented in the annexed example (Casula/2.1), from an engraved gem. When the hood is drawn over the head, as here, the whole garment presents an appearance very similar to the cabin last described, and from this resemblance the term originated, being probably a sort of nick-name, or familiar word amongst the lower orders. Isidor. Orig. xix. 24. 17.

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  Casula/1.1
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  Casula/2.1