INCITE´GA
INCITE´GA a corruption of the Greel
ἀγγοθήκη or
ἐγγυθήκη, a term used to denote a piece of domestic furniture,
variously shaped, and made of silver, bronze, or wood; sometimes adorned
with figures; and employed to hold amphorae, bottles, alabastra, or any
other vessels which were round or pointed at the bottom, and therefore
required a separate contrivance to keep them erect (
Athen. 5.209 f--210 c; Festus, s. v.
Incitega; Bekk.
Anecd. p. 245; Wilkinson,
Anc. Egyptians, ed. Birch, vol. ii. pp. 8, 9, 42). Some
of those used at Alexandria were triangular (Ath.
l.c.). We often see them represented in ancient Egyptian paintings.
The annexed woodcut shows three
ἀγγοθῆκαι,
which are preserved in the British Museum. Those on the right and left hand
are of wood, the one having
 |
|
Incitegae. (British Museum.)
|
four feet, the other six; they were four in Egyptian tombs. The
third is a broad earthenware ring, which is used to support a Grecian
amphora.
Of the two Greek forms,
ἐγγυθήκη is the
best attested (Lys. ap. Ath. l.c.
fr. 18 Bekk.=20
Scheibe),
ἀγγοθήκη, from
ἄγγος, a vessel, the most intelligible. The
frequent employment in ancient times of vessels not made to stand is further
illustrated by the cuts under ALABASTROTHECA,
ALABASTRUM, AMPHORA, and
CHYTROPUS
[
J.Y] [
W.W]
