CRATI´CULA
CRATI´CULA the diminutive of
crates, seems always to mean a gridiron (
Mart. 14.221). In Petronius (
Sat. 31 and 70) it is of silver, and brought to table by the
slaves; an anticipation of the modern “silver grill.” In Cato
(
Cat. Agr. 13.1), the true reading is
probably
lucernas craticulas,
“wicker lanterns.” Several ancient gridirons, found at Pompeii,
are now in the Naples Museum.
[
W.W]