Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Cyathus

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

CY'ATHUS (κύαθος). A cup with one handle, employed by the Greeks as a ladle for filling the wine-goblets (poculum, calices) of each person at table out of the common bowl (crater); and subsequently adopted by the Romans for a similar object. In very early days the simpulum was the only vessel used for this purpose at the domestic table, and at the sacrifice; but as luxury and refinement increased, the latter came to be appropriated for making libations to the Gods, and the cyathus confined to the feasts of men. (Varro, L. L. v. 124.) The example (Cyathus/1.1) is from an original of earthenware.

2. A small measure both of liquid and dry things, containing the twelfth part of a sextarius. Rhemn. Fann. de Pond. et Mens. 80. Compare Pliny, xxi. 109.

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  Cyathus/1.1