Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Catillus

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

CATILLUS or CATILLUM. A small dish of the same form and character as the catinus, but of less capacity, and possibly of inferior manufacture. Columell. xii. 57. 1. Val. Max. iv. 3. 5.

2. (ὄνος). The upper or outer of the two stones in a mill for grinding corn (Paul. Dig. 33. 7. 18. § 5.), which served as a hopper or bowl into which the corn was poured; whence the name. The annexed illustration (Catillus/2.1) represents a Roman mill now remaining at Pompeii, with a section on the left hand. The upper part or basin is the catillus, into which the unground corn was put; it was then turned round by slaves or animals, and as it turned, the ears of corn gradually subsided through a hole at its bottom on to the conical or bell-shaped stone underneath (see the section), between which and the inner surface of its cap, they were ground into flour.

3. An ornament employed in decorating the scabbard of a sword (Plin. H. N. xxxiii. 54.), which is supposed to have been in the form of a round silver plate or stud, similar to those seen on the sheath of the sword inserted under CAPULUS; but the reading of the passage, as well as the meaning of it, if correct, is uncertain.

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  Catillus/2.1