ACERRA
ACERRA the incense box used in sacrifices. (
Hor. Carm. 3.8.2;
Verg. A. 5.745) The
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Acerra, Incense Box.
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incense was taken out of the acerra and let fall upon the burning
altar: hence we have the expression
de acerra
libare. (
Ov. ex Pont.
4.8, 39; Pers. 2.5.) It was distinct from the
turibulum or censer in which incense was burnt ; and was the
more common mode of offering incense. [
TURIBULUM] The acerra represented above is taken
from a frieze in the museum of the Capitol. Another figure, from a
bas-relief at Rome (ap. Daremberg and Saglio, s. v.), illustrates the mode
of using it. The acerra was also, according to Festus (s. v.), a small
altar, placed before the dead, on which perfumes were burnt. There was a
sumptuary law in the Twelve Tables which restricted the use of acerrae at
funerals. (
Cic. de Leg. ii.
24, 60.) [
J.Y] [
W.W]
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Servant carrying the Acerra.
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