I´NFULA
I´NFULA a flock of white and red wool, which was
slightly twisted, drawn into the form of a wreath or fillet, and used by the
Romans for ornament on festive and solemn occasions. In sacrificing it was
tied with a white riband [
VITTA]
to the head of the victim (
Verg. G. 3.487;
Lucret. 1.88; Sueton.
Calig. 27), and also of the priest,
more especially in the worship of Apollo and Diana, but sometimes of other
deities as well. ( “Sacerdotes Cereris cum infulis ac verbenis,”
Cic. Ver. 4.50, § 110;
Verg. A. 2.430,
10.538; Servius,
in loc.; Isid.
Orig. 19.30; Festus, s. v.
Infulae.) The “torta infula” was worn also by the
Vestal Virgins. (Prud.
c. Symm. 2.1085, 1094.) It would seem
that the infula was itself knotted at intervals with the vitta (Rich) ; the
loose flocks of wool would require some such fastening, and it is thus
represented on a painting found at Herculaneum. At Roman marriages the
bride, who carried wool upon a distaff in the procession [
FUSUS], fixed it as an infula upon
the door-posts of her future husband on entering the house. (
Lucan 2.355;
Plin.
Nat. 29.30; Servius
ad
Verg. A. 4.459
MATRIMONIUM Vol. II. p.
144.)
[
J.Y] [
W.W]
