CALAMISTRUM
CALAMISTRUM (pl.
calamistri : calamistra, Varro
ap. Charis. p. 61), a curling-iron, so called from its
resemblance to a reed. Its use among the Greeks may be inferred from the
representations of elaborately dressed hair in works of art. Among the
Romans, it was in vogue as early as the days of Plautus (
Asin. 3.3, 37;
Curc. 4.4, 21), and became as
common among them as it has been in modern times (Serv. on
Aen. 12.100). It was much employed by ladies and boys, and
sometimes even by men, although for them the practice was considered
effeminate (Cic.
pro Sest. 8, 18;
post red. in sen. 5, 12;
in Pis. 11,
25). Hence the figurative use of the word to express an excess of literary
ornament (
Cic. Or. 23, 78;
Brut. 75.262;
Tac. Dial.
26). The calamistrum appears to resemble the modern curling-irons,
and to have belonged therefore to the department of the
ornatrix. Muratori (991, 2)
 |
|
Calamistrum, instrument for dressing hair, on a small relief from
Amyclae, with other articles of toilet. (British Museum.)
|
gives the epitaph of a
liberta a
calamistro, while
ciniflo (Hor.
Sat. 1.2, 98; Tert.
ad
Uxor. 2.8) or
cinerarius (Varr.
L. L. 5.129 ; Cat. 61, 138; Sen.
Dial.
2.14, 1; Acron
ad Hor.
l.c.; Tert.
l.c.) was the title of the slave
who heated the irons.
[
J.Y] [
J.H.F]
