Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Crotalum

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

CROT'ALUM (κρόταλον). A sort of musical instrument especially employed in the worship of Cybele (Apul. Met. viii. p. 170.), and frequently used to form an accompaniment for dancing. (P. Scipio ap. Macrob. Sat. ii. 10. Virg. Copa, 2.) It consisted of two split canes, or hollow pieces of wood or metal, joined together by a straight handle, as in the right-hand figure of the annexed engraving (Crotalum/1.1), from a mosaic pavement in a tomb excavated in the Villa Corsini. When played, one of these was held in each hand, and snapped together with the fingers, so as to produce a crisp rattling sound, like the castanets, as shown by the female figure in the illustration, from a bas-relief of the Villa Borghese.

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  Crotalum/1.1