Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Lectica

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. 

LECTI'CA (φορεῖον, κλίνη). A palanquin, introduced into Greece and Italy from the East; in the first instance as an article of luxury for females, but, afterwards, it came to be very generally used for men as well as women. (Sulpic. ad. Cic. Fam. iv. 12. Suet. passim. See the Clavis of Baumgarten-Crusius, s. v.) The body consisted of a wooden case with low sides to it, like the bier (capulus, feretrum), upon which a corpse was carried out (Aul. Gell. x. 3. 2.); with uprights which supported a wooden tester, like the pluteus. (Isidor. Orig. xx. 11. 4. lectica, sive lectus pluteus.) This roof was covered with leather (Mart. xi. 98.), and curtains (vela, plagae, plagulae) were suspended from it, which might be closed all round (Suet. Tit. 10. Senec. Suas. i. 6.), or drawn back, as in the cut, when it was said to be open (aperta, Cic. Phil. ii. 24.); but, in some cases, it was a close conveyance (clausa), having the sides fitted with panels and windows, which could be opened or shut at pleasure. (Juv. iii. 242. compare iv. 20.) The inmate reclined upon a soft mattress or feather bed (Juv. i. 159.), with a bolster to support the back (cervical, Juv. vi. 353.), so that he could read, write, or sleep within it. According to the wealth of the owner, and the size of the lectica, it was borne by two, four, six, or eight tall slaves (lecticarii), in the manner described and illustrated at p. 63. We have no authentic representation of this kind of conveyance, upon any monument of Greek or Roman art; but the various details are sufficiently known from numerous incidental passages, in which the different parts are mentioned or described, to warrant the general correctness of the figure annexed (Lectica/1.1), which is designed by Ginzrot (Wagen und Fahrwerke, vol. ii. tab. 65.), and will serve to convey a distinct notion of the vehicle.

2. A litter for the conveyance of sick and wounded (Liv. ii. 36. xxiv. 42. Val. Max. ii. 8. 2.), of similar character, but more simple, and less ostentatiously fitted up.

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  Lectica/1.1