[543] “Casmilus” is generally supposed to have been a collateral, probably an older form of “camillus,” the attendant of a flamen, and so inferentially “Casmila” of “Camilla.” So “Casmena,” “Camena.” Varro L. L. 7. 34 Müller, and Statius Tullianus De Vocabulis Rerum, book 1, cited by Serv. here, and Macrob. Sat. 3. 8 declare that the word “Casmilus” is Greek, and used by Callimachus, evidently referring, as Müller observes, to the Cabeiric god known as Cadmilus, Casmilus, or Cadmus. Virg. apparently symbolizes the fact that “Casmilla” is an older form than “Camilla” by making one the name of the mother, the other of the daughter. No ancient author, however, appears distinctly to attest the existence of “casmilus” as a Latin word apart from the name of the Cabeiric god, so that it is possible that we may be merely dealing with a conjectural attempt at antiquarian explanation, such as Varro and Virg. were fond of.
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John Conington. P. Vergili Maronis opera. P. Vergili Maronis Opera. The works of. Virgil. , with a Commentary by John Conington, M.A. and Henry Nettleship, M.A. London. Whittaker and Co., Ave Maria Lane;. George Bell and Sons, York Street, Covent Garden. 1876.
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