Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Lebes

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. 

LEBES (λέβης). A deep vessel or basin with a full and swelling outline (curvi lebetes, Ov. Met. xii. 243.), made of bronze or the precious metals, and intended to be held under the hands or feet to catch the purifying water, which an attendant poured over them from a jug (gutturnium, προχόος), before and after meals. (Serv. ad Virg. Aen. iii. 466. Hom. Od. i. 137. xix. 386.) Vessels of this description were frequently given as prizes at the games (Virg. Aen. v. 266.), and, consequently, are represented on coins and medals with a palm branch, the emblem of victory placed in them, as in the annexed example (Lebes/1.1) from a medal of Gordian. The inscription upon it testifies that it was intended to represent a prize for the Pythian games, while the water jug which stands by its side expresses the purpose for which it was to be used, and identifies it as a genuine representation of the lebes.

2. A copper kettle, or, rather, bronze, of the same form and character, but used for boiling meat, &c., and similar to the olla, with the exception of being smaller, and made of metal, instead of earthenware. (Serv. ad Virg. Aen. iii. 446. Isidor. Orig. xx. 8. 4. Hom. Il. frequently.) The illustration (Lebes/2.1), from a sculptured vase of Greek marble, represents a lebes of similar form to the last example, under which a fire is kindled for cooking a pig; and as these kettles had no legs, it is supported over the fire upon large stones.

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  Lebes/1.1
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  Lebes/2.1