Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Cista

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

CISTA (κίστη). A deep cylindrical basket, covered with a lid, and made of wickerwork (Plin. H. N. xv. 18. n. 2. Id. xvi. 77.), which was employed in various ways, as its form and character rendered it applicable. The example (Cista/1.1) here introduced is copied from a Roman bas-relief; but baskets of a similar form and character are frequently represented both in sculpture and painting. When square cistae are mentioned (Columell. xii. 54. 2.), the very addition of the epithet implies an unusual shape; and the uniform character of the following illustrations, all representing different objects which bore the common name of cista, is sufficient to declare the figure which presented itself to the ancient mind in correspondence with that name.

2. A money-box (Hor. Ep. i. 17. 54. Cic. Verr. ii. 3. 85.), undoubtedly of smaller dimensions than the coffer or chest, of which an illustration is introduced s. ARCA 1. The specimen (Cista/2.1) here annexed is from an original of earthenware, which has a slit at the top for dropping in the money, like those now used by the licensed beggars in the Italian towns.

3. A book-basket (Juv. iii. 206.), similar to the capsa in form and character, but made of wicker-work, instead of wood, and like that also used for other similar purposes, as for keeping clothes (Poeta vet. ap. Quint. viii. 3. 19.) See the illustrations s. CAPSA.

4. A basket employed at the Comitia and in the courts of justice, into which the voters and the judges cast the tablets (tabellae) by which their votes or sentences were declared. (Auctor. ad Herenn. 1. 12. Plin. H. N. xxxiii. 2. § 7. Manutius de Comit. Rom. xv. p. 572. Wunder. Codex Erfutens. p. 158. seqq.) The illustration (Cista/4.1) is from a coin of the Cassian family, and represents a voter dropping his tablet of acquittal (marked A for absolvo) into the cista.

5. The mystic cist, a covered basket, box, or case, in which the sacred utensils and other articles appertaining to the rites of Ceres and Bacchus were enclosed, in order to conceal them from the eyes of profane beholders, whilst carried in solemn procession upon the festivals appointed for those deities; for all the ceremonies connected with their worship were conducted in profound secrecy. (Catull. 64. 260. Tibull. i. 7. 48. Compare Ov. A. Am. ii. 609.) There is no doubt that the cista employed for this purpose was, in the first instance a mere wicker basket, similar to the one delineated in the first wood-cut which illustrates this article; for it is so represented on numerous coins and bas-reliefs, where the wicker-work is expressed in detail; but, subsequently, or amongst wealthy congregations, it was made of more costly materials, and elegant workmanship, as proved by two originals in bronze now preserved at Rome; one of which was found near the ancient Labicum, the other at Praeneste. The latter is represented in the annexed engraving (Cista/5.1). It stands upon three feet; the handles by which it was carried are observable at the sides; the lid is surmounted by two figures, a bacchante and a faun; and the outside is covered with a design in outline, representing the reception of the Argonauts in the arsenal at Cyzicus. In it were found the following objects; another small case, a model of a kid, and of a panther, a patera, a ligula, a sharp pointed instrument like the stylus, and a piece of metal of triangular form, the pyramid (πυραμίς), mentioned by Clemens of Alexandria as one of the articles usually contained in these cases. The other one, found at Labicum, is similar in form, material, and style of execution; excepting that it has three figures on the lid; Bacchus in the centre draped with a robe covered with stars, to indicate that he was the nocturnal Bacchus (Nyctelius Pater, Ov. A. Am. i. 567.), at which time the orgies were celebrated (Serv. ad Aen. iv. 303. Compare Liv. xxxix. 8. seqq.); and a Faun in the nebris on each side of him. The inside contained a patera, on which the contest between Pollux and Amicus king of Bebrycia, with Diana between them, was represented in contorniate figures, the names of each being inscribed over them in a very ancient Latin form, POLUCES, AMUCES, and LOSNA, the old name for Diana. Under the feet of the figures on the lid, there is an inscription, resembling in its spelling and Latinity the style of that on the Duilian Column; and testifying that the vessel was presented by a female, and made by a Roman artist of the name of Novius Plautius: —

DINDIA . MACOLNIA . FILEA . DEDIT . NOVIOS . PLAVTIOS . MED. ROMAI. FECID.

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  Cista/1.1
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  Cista/2.1
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  Cista/4.1
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  Cista/5.1