A dictionary of Greek and Roman . eum. (Gell, Pompeiana,vol. i. p. 160, Lon. 1832.) In temples curtains served more especially toveil the statue of the divinity. They were drawnaside occasionally so as to discover the object ofworship to the devout. (Apuleius, Met. xi. p. 127,ed. Aldi.) [Pastophorus.] Antiochus presentedto the temple of Jupiter at Olympia a woollen cur-tain of Assyrian manufacture, dyed with the Tyrianpurple and interwoven with figures. When thestatue was displayed, this curtain lay upon theground, and it was afterwards drawn up by meansof cords ; whereas in the
A dictionary of Greek and Roman . eum. (Gell, Pompeiana,vol. i. p. 160, Lon. 1832.) In temples curtains served more especially toveil the statue of the divinity. They were drawnaside occasionally so as to discover the object ofworship to the devout. (Apuleius, Met. xi. p. 127,ed. Aldi.) [Pastophorus.] Antiochus presentedto the temple of Jupiter at Olympia a woollen cur-tain of Assyrian manufacture, dyed with the Tyrianpurple and interwoven with figures. When thestatue was displayed, this curtain lay upon theground, and it was afterwards drawn up by meansof cords ; whereas in the temple of Diana atEphesus the corresponding curtain or veil was at-tached to the ceiling, and was let down in order toconceal the statue. (Paus. v. 12. § 2.) The an- nexed woodcut is from a bas-relief representingtwo females engaged in supplication and sacrificebefore the statue of a goddess. The altar is adornedfor the occasion [Sertum], and the curtain isdrawn aside and supported by a terminus. (Guat-tani, Mon. Ined. per 1786, Nov. T. iii.). In the theatres there were hanging curtains todecorate the scene. (Virg. Georg. iii. 25 ; 1. 15.) The Siparium was extended in awooden frame. The velarium was an awningstretched over the whole of the cavea to protectthe spectators from the sun and rain. (Juv. iv. 121 ;Sueton. Calig. 26.) These awnings were in generaleither woollen or linen ; cotton was used for thispurpose a little before the time of Julius Caesar.(Plin. H. N. xix. 1. s. 6 ; Dion Cass, xliii. 24 ;Lucret. vi. 108.) This vast extent of canvass wassupported by masts (mali, Lucret. I. c.) fixed intothe outer wall. The annexed woodcut shows theform and position of the great rings, cut out oflava, which remain on the inside of the wall ofthe Great Theatre at Pornpeii near the top, andwhich are placed at regular distances, and one ofthem above another, so that each mast was fixedinto two rings. Each ring is of one piece with
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Keywords: ., bookauthorsmithwilliam18131893, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1840
