Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Crater

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

CRA'TER (κρατήρ). A capacious bowl or vessel, containing wine and water mixed together, out of which the drinking goblets were filled, and handed round to each individual at table; for the ancients seldom drank their wine neat. (Non. s. v. p. 545. Ovid. Fast. v. 522. Virg. Aen. i. 728.) It was made of various materials, from earthenware up to the precious metals; and in different forms, according to the taste of the designer, but always with a wide open mouth, as in the example (Crater/1.1), from a bronze original discovered at Pompeii. At meal time it was brought into the eating-room, and placed upon the ground, or on a stand, and the cup-bearer (pincerna, pocillator) took the mixed liquor from it with a ladle (cyathus), out of which he replenished the cups (pocula, calices, &c.), and handed them to the guests. In the representations of Greek banquets (see the examples quoted s. COMISSATIO), the crater is placed upon the ground in front of the tables; in an ivory carving of a Bacchanalian scene (Buanorotti, Med. p. 451.), it stands likewise upon the ground, while a winged genius pours the wine into it from an amphora; and in a marble bas-relief, representing a similar subject (Bartoli, Adm. p. 45.), a Faun fills it in like manner from a wine skin (uter).

2. The crater of a volcanic mountain (Plin. H. N. iii. 14. Lucret. vi. 702.); which is produced by the cinders and other matters discharged into the air from the mouth of the volcano, falling down all round the top, when they naturally form a deep circular basin, through which the eruption finds its vent.

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  Crater/1.1