Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Rudis

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. 

RUD'IS (κύκηθρον). An implement for stirring and mixing liquids and other ingredients while boiling, &c.; similar to the preceding example, but of larger dimensions. Cato, R. R. 79. Plin. H. N. xxxiv. 50.

2. A stick with a knob at the end or blunted at the point, employed by gladiators and soldiers whilst learning the art of attack and defence, or practising for exercise and amusement. (Suet. Cal. 32. Liv. xxvi. 51. Ov. Am. ii. 9. 22. Id. A. Am. iii. 515.) It was usual to present an instrument of this description to the gladiator who had received his discharge from service; whence the expression rude donari, means to be relieved from duty. (Hor. Ep. i. 1. 2. Compare Suet. Claud. 21.) The illustration (Rudis/2.1), from an engraved gem, is believed to represent a gladiator with the rudis in his hands; a conjecture which the round form of the object, and its proximate resemblance to the stirring mull, described under the primary meaning of the word, renders extremely probable.

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  Rudis/2.1