Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Superficies

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. 

SUPERFIC'IES. Literally, the upper part of anything; or that which is placed over anything; as the roof of an edifice (Plin. H. N. xxxiv. 7.); or the entire elevation above the ground on which a building stands (Liv. v. 54. Cic. Att. iv. 1.); whence the following special senses are derived.

1. (ὄγκος). A mask, with a wig and bonnet arranged in a pyramidal form on the top of the head, like the roof of a house, or the Greek letter Λ (λαβδοειδές. Jul. Poll. iv. 133.), and having a hunch or protuberance at the back (caput gibberum. Varro, ap. Non. p. 452.). It was usually worn by tragic actors in order to increase the stature, and give a corresponding altitude to the upper part of the figure, which the high boot (cothurnus) did to the lower extremities; and is exhibited by the annexed example (Superficies/1.1), from a painting representing a tragic scene at Pompeii, in which both the penthouse form of the superficies, and the protuberance behind are distinctly delineated.

2. (λύχνου ἐπίθεμα, πινάκιον, δίσκος). The uppermost member of a lampstand (candelabrum), upon which the lamp was placed, usually consisting of a small flat circular dish or tray, as shown by the annexed example (Superficies/2.1), from an original of bronze found at Pompeii, and indicated by the last two of the Greek names bracketed above. Plin. H. N. xxxiv. 6. Jul. Poll. x. 115. vi. 109.

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  Superficies/1.1
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  Superficies/2.1