Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Clunabulum

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

CLUNAB'ULUM or CLUNAC'ULUM. A small sword, or rather dagger, so called because it was worn at the back, just over the buttocks (clunes), as shown in the annexed example (Clunabulum/1.1), from the Column of Trajan. Aul. Gell. x. 25. Isidor. Orig. xviii. 6. 6.

2. The same name was also given to the knife of the cultrarius, with which he ripped up the entrails of victims at the sacrifice (Festus, s. v.); and which was carried in the same manner by a strap round the loins, as shown by the annexed figure (Clunabulum/2.1), representing one of these servants, from a Pompeian painting.

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  Clunabulum/1.1
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  Clunabulum/2.1