Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Clava

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

CLAVA (ῥόπαλον). A stout, rough stick, thickening towards the butt-end, such as we might term a cudgel; sometimes used in an offensive manner (Cic. Verr. ii. 4. 43.), and frequently carried out of affectation by the ancient philosophers, instead of a walking stick (Sidon. Epist. iv. 11. ix. 9. Id. Carm. xv. 197.), as shown by the annexed figure (Clava/1.1) of Democritus, from an engraved gem.

2. A heavy stick or stave, with which recruits were made to go through their exercises in lieu of a sword, and which they used against the dummy or manikin (palus), a wooden figure set up for the purpose. Cic. Senect. 16. Veget. Mil. ii. 11.

3. (ῥόπαλον. Soph. Tr. 512.) A club or bludgeon, such as was used by Hercules and Theseus. (Prop. iv. 9. 39. Suet. Nero, 53.) It is always represented by the ancient sculptors and painters as a formidable weapon, made thick and heavy at one extremity, and gradually tapering towards the other, by which it was held in the hand; and frequently with the knots left rough upon it (irrasa, Sil. Ital. viii. 584.); as in the example (Clava/3.1), representing the club of Hercules, from a Pompeian painting. Compare CLAVIGER, 1.

4. (κορύνη, ῥόπαλον σιδήρῳ τετυλωμένον). A mace, or war club, having an iron head, thickly studded with knobs or sharp spikes, affixed to the wooden handle. In this form it is mentioned by Homer (Il. vii. 141.), and by Herodotus (vii. 63.), when describing the accoutrements of the Assyrians who followed the army of Xerxes, and is represented by the engraving (Clava/4.1), from an ancient Roman fresco painting of the Villa Albani, where it appears as the weapon of Mars; thus proving that the Romans were also acquainted with the implement, though they do not appear to have designated it by any characteristic name.

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  Clava/1.1
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  Clava/3.1
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  Clava/4.1