Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Currus

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

CURRUS. A Roman chariot, or carriage upon two wheels, which was entered from behind, but was close in front, and open overhead. It was also constructed to contain two persons, the driver and another, both standing, and was drawn by two, three, or four horses, and occasionally even by a greater number. (Cic. Ovid, Virg. &c.) The example (Currus/1.1) is from an original now preserved in the Vatican, made of wood, but covered with plates of bronze. When found, it was broken into many pieces, which have since been put together. A front view of the same is given at p. 72.

2. (ἅρμα). The war chariot used by the Greeks of the heroic ages; which was of a similar construction to the one last mentioned, but of a lighter character, being partially formed with open rail-work instead of close pannelling, as shown by numerous examples, on fictile vases, from one of which, found at St. Agatha, formerly Saticola, the annexed engraving (Currus/2.1) is copied.

3. Currus volucris (πτηνὸν ἅρμα). A chariot, with wings attached to the extremities of the axle-tree, fancifully attributed by poets and artists to the cars of Jupiter and Apollo (Hor. Od. i. 34. 8. Plato, Phaed. tom. ix. p. 321. Bipont), and frequently represented on fictile vases, from one of which the annexed illustration (Currus/3.1) is copied.

4. Currus triumphalis. A triumphal car, in which the Roman general was carried at his triumph. This was not open a the back, like the ordinary currus, but was completely circular, and closed all round (Zonar. vi. 21.), as shown by the annexed engraving (Currus/4.1), from a medal of Vespasian, and in the wood-cut s. CORONA, 1., which shows the persons in it. Its pannels were also decorated with carvings in ivory, which are apparent in the present example, whence it is designated as the ivory car (currus eburneus, Pedo Albin. El. i. 333.).

5. A plough with wheels, or the carriage part of such a plough. (Virg. Georg. i. 174.) See the illustration s. CULTER, 7.

6. Currus falcatus. A war chariot furnished with sharp blades of iron or scythes affixed to the end of the pole and of the axle tree, chiefly employed by foreign nations. Several descriptions of these carriages have come down to us, but no representations of any one on works of art; consequently, the exact manner in which the offensive weapon was attached has not been ascertained. Liv. xxxvii. 41. Curt. iv. 9. Hirt. B. Alex. 75. Val. Flacc. vi. 105.

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  Currus/1.1
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  Currus/2.1
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  Currus/3.1
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  Currus/4.1