Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Crypta

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

CRYP'TA (κρύπτη, or κρυπτή). The original of our word crypt; which, however, gives a very incorrect notion of the object conveyed to the Greek and Roman mind by the same term. The ancient crypta comes nearest to our cloister, which it closely resembled; being, in fact, a long narrow gallery, on the level of the ground (not subterranean, as commonly supposed), inclosed by walls on both sides, and receiving its light from rows of windows, in one or both of the side walls which inclosed it. Structures of this kind were frequently built as public edifices for the convenience of the population; in the pleasure grounds of wealthy individuals (Seneca, Ira, 111. 18.); as adjuncts to great mansions; to the promenades connected with a theatre (Suet. Cal. 58.); and very commonly, as we learn from numerous inscriptions (Muratori, Inscript. p. 481. 4. Rheines. Syntagm. Inscript. ii. 28.) were attached to the side of a porticus or open colonnade; being intended as agreeable places of resort, when the heat of the season or inclemency of the weather rendered shelter acceptable to an idle and luxurious population. Even the Praetorian guards had a crypta adjacent to their permanent camp at Rome, which was demolished by the orders of Hadrian, when he attempted to reform the discipline of the corps. (Spart. Hadr. 10.) The annexed illustration (Crypta/1.1), compared with the one which follows, will afford a correct idea of the real nature of the ancient crypt. It represents the ground-plan of a public edifice constructed by the priestess Eumachia{TR: "Emachia" -> "Eumachia"} at Pompeii, consisting of a crypta, porticus, and chalcidicum, all which members are enumerated in an inscription affixed to the outside wall over the principal entrance. The three corridors or cloisters marked A A A constitute the crypta. They are surrounded on three of the sides by a blank wall, decorated with fresco paintings; on the inside are observed the windows which opened upon an adjoining colonnade (porticus), marked B B B B, which, in its turn, surrounds a large central area, C. Considerable remains of a similar structure are still to be seen on the site of ancient Capua, contiguous to the amphitheatre; and an example of these cloisters, annexed to a theatre, is shown in the fragment containing the plan of Pompey's theatre, s. THEATRUM

2. Enclosed cloisters of the same description, as far as relates to design and locality, were usually constructed, instead of open colonnades, round the inner court-yards of Roman villas and farm-houses, for the purpose of storing grain, fruits, and such produce as required to be kept free from damp, and yet not altogether excluded from air. Vitruvius, therefore, in giving a design for a model villa, very wisely recommends covered galleries (cryptae) to be constructed in the interior of farm buildings for such produce; and the stabling, as well as magazines for less perishable commodities, to be situated in the open front court (vestibulum). (Vitruv. vi. 5. 2. Compare Varro, R. R. i. 57.) The illustration (Crypta/1.2) represents a view of the remains of the suburban villa of L. Arrius Diomedes at Pompeii, and shows very clearly the character and style of these appurtenances. On the left hand only a portion of the foundations remain; but the right wing and centre are nearly entire, with a part of the first story of the villa behind it. From this there is a staircase, still entire, leading down into the crypta, which, it will not fail to be observed, is not a subterranean cellar, but on the level of the ground, and with windows opening into a square court, originally surrounded by the other stories built over the cloisters.

3. When the windows were closed with their wooden shutters, the whole corridor would form a long, narrow, dark vault; whence the word, in poetical and metaphorical language, was transferred in a secondary sense to subterranean passages of various kinds: thus the main sewer, which passed down the Suburra, in continuation of the cloaca Maxima at Rome is termed crypta Suburrae (Juv. v. 106.); the tunnel, which passes under the cliffs between Naples and Pausilippo, now the "Grotto of Pausilipo," is designated crypta Neapolitana (Pet. Fragm. 13. Seneca, Ep. 57.); and the crypta, in front of which Quartilla offers her sacrifice (Pet. Sat. 16. 3.) may refer to this same grotto, or to a cloister attached to her house and gardens, like those described above.

4. The stalls for the horses and chariots in a circus (Sidon. Carm. xxiii. 319.) See the illustration and article, CARCER, 2.

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  Crypta/1.1
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  Crypta/1.2