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Crepĭda

κρηπίς), also called Crepidŭla (Plaut. Pers. iv. 2, 3). A kind of shoe of the nature of

Crepida. (Foot of Hermes.)

sandals, and to be considered as occupying a middle position between a closed boot and plain sandals. Originally it appears to have been worn by peasants, having a high and strong sole, often studded with nails (cf. Plin. H. N. xxxvi. 127), sometimes fitted with leaden or brazen plates called Χῖαι κρηπῖδες (Hippocr. ap. Galen, xviii. A. p. 678, ed. Kuhn); and we are told that Hagnon, one of the followers of Alexander, had gold or silver nails in his crepidae (Athen. xii. 539 c). It sometimes had a low upper, with eyes (ansae) through which straps (obstragula, ἱμάντες), which were at times adorned with jewels or dyed with purple, were passed, fastening it over the instep; often it was closed at the back; but generally the upper consisted of a series of large loops (also called ansae), through

Crepida in Pompeian Street. (Rich.)

which the fastening thong or thongs were passed. This kind of open network covering the instep explains the epithet πολυσχιδές (Lucian, Rhet. Praecept. 15). (See Calceus.) The name crepida is also given to a raised sidewalk or causeway for foot-passengers on the side of a street, as in the above illustration.

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    • Plautus, Persa, 4.2
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