previous next

AC´ATUS

AC´ATUS dim. ACAT´IUM (ἄκατος, ἀκάτιον). 1. A kind of boat or small vessel [NAVIS]. 2. In the rigging of a ship, ἀκάτια were certain sails, perhaps stay-sails, of which nothing definite is known (cf. Liddell and Scott, s. v.). The statement in Julius Pollux and Hesychius that the main-mast was so called is extremely doubtful; in the only classical text where the word occurs, τὰ ἀκάτια are contrasted with τὰ μέψαλα ἱστία (Xen. Hell. 6.2.27); and Rich, s.v. rightly observes that the only certain thing is that the acatium was especially adapted for fast sailing with light winds. 3. A drinking-vessel, so named from its shape, somewhat like

Acatia, boat-shaped Cups.

our modern sauce-boat. The above figures are from the collection in the Louvre (ap. Daremberg and Saglio). The ἀκάτια are expressly distinguished from larger cups (Epicrat. ap. Ath. xi. p. 782 f., fr. 9, Meineke); but there was also a μεγάλη ἄκατος used in libations (Antiph. ap. Ath. xv. p. 692 f., fr. 5, Meineke).

[W.W]

hide Display Preferences
Greek Display:
Arabic Display:
View by Default:
Browse Bar: