I.of or belonging to a classis.
I. To a class or division of the Roman people; only transf., belonging to the first class, of the highest class: classici dicebantur non omnes qui in quinque classibus erant, sed primi tantum classis homines (opp. classem, infra), Cat. ap. Gell. 6 ($3), 13, 1; cf. Paul. ex Fest. p. 113, 12: “testes classici,” id. ib. p. 56, 15.—
B. Trop., of the highest rank, classical, superior, standard: “classicus adsiduusque aliquis scriptor, non proletarius,” Gell. 19, 8, 15.—
C. Subst.: classĭcus , i, m., he that summons the classes of citizens to the Comitia: in Arce classicus oanat tum circumque moeros, Comment. ap. Varr. L. L. 6, § 92 Müll.—
II. To the military and naval forces (v. infra; and cf. classis, I. B.), but in use only in the sense of or belonging to the fleet: “classicos milites,” Liv. 21, 61, 2; 26, 48, 12: “bella,” naval, Prop. 2, 1, 28: “certamen,” Vell. 2, 85, 2: “corona = navalis,” id. 2, 81, 2.—Hence,
B. Subst.
1. classĭcum , i, n., a field or battle-signal upon the trumpet: “classicum cecinit,” Liv. 28, 27, 15: “classicum canere jubet,” Tac. A. 2, 32; cf.: “classicum cani jubet,” Caes. B. C. 3, 82: “classico ad contionem convocat,” Liv. 7, 36, 9: “cum silentium classico fecisset,” id. 2, 45, 12: “classica sonant,” Verg. A. 7, 637: “neque excitatur classico miles truci,” Hor. Epod. 2, 5; Suet. Caes. 32; id. Vit. 11; Quint. 2, 11, 4; Luc. 4, 186 al.— “Since only the leader commanded it to be given: classicum praetorium (al. praeconium),” Prop. 3 (4), 3, 41. cf. Caes. l. l.; Liv. 28, 27, 15; Veg. Mil. 2, 22.—
2. Meton., the war-trumpet: “necdum etiam audierant inflari classica,” Verg. G. 2, 539; Tib. 1, 1, 4. —
3. Subst.: classĭci , ōrum, m., marines, Tac. H. 1, 36; 2, 11; 2, 17; 2, 22; 2, 67; 3, 55.—Also mariners, seamen, Curt. 4, 3, 18.
