Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Cataracta

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

CATARAC'TA or CATARAC'TES (καταρράκτης). A cataract, cascade, or sudden fall of water from a higher to a lower level, like the falls of Tivoli or Terni. Plin. H. N. v. 10. Vitruv. viii. 2. 6.

2. A sluice, flood-gate, or lock in a river, either for the purpose of moderating the rapidity of the current (Plin. Ep. x. 69.), or for shutting in the water, so as to preserve a good depth in the stream. (Rutil. i. 481.) The illustration (Cataracta/2.1) is copied from one of the bas-reliefs on the arch of Septimius Severus. It will be observed, that the Roman artist, in accordance with the practice of his school, has omitted to insert the flood-gate, contenting himself with carving the uprights by which it was kept in its place, and made to slide up and down.

3. A portcullis, suspended over the entrance of a city or fortified place, so that it could be let down or drawn up by iron rings and chains at pleasure. (Liv. xxvii. 28. Veget. Mil. iv. 4.) In one of the ancient gate-ways still remaining at Rome, another at Tivoli, and also at Pompeii, the grooves in which the portcullis worked are plainly aparent; and the example here introduced (Cataracta/3.1), from an ancient fresco painting, where it defends the entrance to a bridge, exhibits the chains and ring by which it was worked, precisely as mentioned by Vegetius. The grating which closed the entrance does not appear in the original, which may be the effect of age; or, perhaps, it was not a regular portcullis, but only a movable bar raised and lowered at certain hours to close the passage against travellers or cattle; but in either case, it is sufficient to exhibit the character of such contrivances amongst the ancients.

• 
  Cataracta/2.1
• 
  Cataracta/3.1