Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Corbita

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

COR'BITA (πλοῖον σιταγωγόν or σιτηγόν). A merchantman; but more accurately, a ship employed solely for the transport of corn, and so termed, because it carried a corbis at the mast-head. (Festus, s. v.) These were large and heavy sailing vessels (Plaut. Poen. iii. 1. 4. Lucil. ap. Non. s. v. p. 533. Compare Cic. Att. xvi. 6.), with two masts, as proved by the annexed example (Corbita/1.1) from a medal of Commodus, struck in commemoration of his having chartered a number of vessels to bring corn to Rome from Africa and Egypt, as narrated by Lampridius in his life. The corbis is seen at the top of the main mast; and it may be remarked that the modern name corvette originated in this word.

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  Corbita/1.1