Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Catasta

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

CATAS'TA. An elevated wooden frame or platform upon which slaves were placed when exposed for sale in the slave market, in order that the purchaser might examine them, to discover their points or defects. (Tibull. ii. 3. 60. Pers. vi. 77. Suet. Gramm. 13.) From an expression of Statius (Sylv. ii. 1. 72. turbo catastae), it would appear that the machine was made to revolve, like the stands used for statues, that the purchaser might have an opportunity of inspecting the structure of the figure exposed all round.

2. Catasta arcana. An apparatus of similar description, on which the most valuable and beautiful slaves were shown, not in the public market, but privately in the depôts of the dealers. Mart. Ep. ix. 60. 5.

3. An iron bed or grating under which a fire was kindled, and on which criminals were sometimes laid to be tortured, and some of the early martyrs roasted alive. Prudent. [Περὶ στεφ.] Error: {{Lang}}: text has italic markup (help) i. 56. Id. ii. 399.