Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Corymbus

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

CORYM'BUS (κόρυμβος). A bunch of ivy berries, and likewise of other kinds of fruit which grow in the same conical-shaped clusters; afterwards, a wreath or chaplet made with the leaves and clusters of the ivy, which the ancients used as a festive ornament on many occasions, but especially as an appropriate decoration for Bacchus and his followers, as in the annexed illustration (Corymbus/1.1), from a marble bust, supposed to represent Ariadne. Tibull. i. 7. 45. Prop. ii. 30. 39. Juv. vi. 52.

2. A peculiar manner of arranging the hair, more especially characteristic of the early population of Athens (Heraclid. ap. Athen. xii. 5. Compare CROBYLUS), and of the female sex amongst them. (Schol. ad Thucyd. i. 6.) It was produced by turning the hair backwards all round the head, and drawing it up to a point at the top, where it was tied with a band, so as to have a sort of resemblance in general form to a cluster of ivy berries, as shown by the example (Corymbus/2.1), from a bas-relief in Greek marble. When the hair was too long or too abundant to be tied thus simply, it was fastened in a double bow across the top of the head, as in the well-known statue of Apollo Belvedere, and a bust of Diana in the British Museum. In Cicero (Ep. Att. xiv. 3.) Corymbus is a proper name, arising out of the custom of arranging the hair in the manner described. Ernesti, Clav. Cic. s. v.

3. The elevated ornament on the stern of a ship (Val. Flacc. i. 272.); for which the special name is APLUSTRE; which see.

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  Corymbus/1.1
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  Corymbus/2.1