Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Flagrum

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

FLA'GRUM. An instrument employed chiefly for the punishment of slaves (Plaut. Amph. iv. 2. 10. Mart. xiv. 79.), consisting of several chains with knobs of metal at their extremities (whence durum, Juv. v. 172.), appended to a short handle, in the same manner as a whip; but which dealt out heavy blows rather than lashes; consequently the effects produced by it are described by words expressive of thumping, pounding, and breaking (pinsere, Plaut. Merc. ii. 3. 80. rumpere, Ulp. Dig. 47. 10. 9.), and not of cutting, or lashing, which is characteristic of the flagellum. Livy (xxviii, 11.), however, has caesa flagro. The illustration (Flagrum/1.1) is copied from an original found at Herculaneum, in the houses of which city other specimens have been found, with two and five tails, but otherwise of similar character to the present.

2. Flagrum talis tessellatum (μάστιξ ἀστραγαλωτή). A whip composed of a number of long lashes (prolixe fimbriatum), with the pastern bones (tali) of sheep tied up in them, and affixed to a short handle, with which the priests of Cybele affected to flog themselves for the purpose of exciting compassion amongst the ignorant multitude. (Apul. Met. vii. p. 173.) The example annexed (Flagrum/2.1), corresponding in every respect with the above description, is copied from a marble bas-relief representing Cybele surrounded by various implements employed in her worship, of which the above forms one.

3. Flagrum fimbriatum (Apul. l. c.), furnished with a number of lashes, which hang together like a fringe (fimbria), whence the name.

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  Flagrum/1.1
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  Flagrum/2.1