Collāré
(
δέραιον, κλοιός). A band or chain attached to the neck
(
collum); a collar. Dogs with collars are frequently seen in ancient
monuments, and a mosaic at Pompeii represents a watch-dog with his collar and chain attached.
Varro says that farm-dogs should have collars with pointed nails attached to them, to protect
them against the attacks of wolves and other beasts. Xenophon recommends that the collars
(
δέραια) of huntingdogs should be soft and wide, so as not
to rub the hair. Large wooden collars (
κλοιοί) were sometimes
put on mischievous dogs (
Suet. Vesp. 897).
Plates of bronze have been found, pierced with a hole to be suspended to the collar,
containing the names of owners of dogs. See the illustration under
Catenarius.
Iron or bronze collars were placed round the necks of slaves who had attempted to run away
(Plaut.
Capt. ii. 2, 107). Sometimes a plate was attached to the collar,
containing the name and address of the master and offering a reward for the runaway slave. See
Servus.