Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Pilentum

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. 

PILEN'TUM. A state carriage used by the Roman matrons and ladies of distinction on gala days and festivals, instead of the Carpentum, which they used on ordinary occasions. (Liv. v. 25. Virg. Aen. viii. 666. Festus s. v.) We have not sufficient data for deciding the precise character of this conveyance, further than what is collected generally and by implication from the terms in which it is spoken of; whence it appears to have been raised to a stately height, of easy motion, with a cover over head, but open all round, and, sometimes, if Isidorus (Orig. xx. 12.) be correct, furnished with four wheels. The figure in the illustration (Pilentum/1.1), from a medal of the Empress Faustina, agrees with many of these particulars; and although it cannot be pronounced authoritatively as an accurate representation of the carriage in question, may serve to convey a notion of what it was like, and how it differed from the ordinary carpentum. The circumstance of being drawn by lions instead of horses or mules, may be a piece of mere artistic exaggeration; but under the extravagant habits of the empire, we meet with various instances of wild animals being tamed and yoked to the draught.

• 
  Pilentum/1.1