SCA´PHIUM
SCA´PHIUM (
σκάφιον), a
shallow vessel without a handle, so called because it was shaped something
like a boat (cf.
CYMBIUM and
the English “sauce-boat” ), used as a drinking cup (Plaut.
Stich. 4.5, 11;
Bacch.. sometimes
earthenware, sometimes metal; e. g. of brass (Lucret. 6.1045), of silver
(
Athen. 4.142 d;
Cic. Ver. 4.17, 37). It was used
also for dipping and pouring water over the body in the bath (
Athen. 11.501 e; Plaut.
Pers. 1.3, 43). In
Plut. Num.
9 a brazen
σκάφιον (or (
σκαφεῖον) is used to relight the sacred fire
[
PRYTANEUM p. 514], being
doubtless a primitive substitute for a concave mirror or burning-glass, and
retained by religious conservatism.
Scaphium also=a
matella of the same shape (
Juv. 6.264, &c.). For the explanation of
σκάφιον κείρεσθαι, see
COMA Vol. I. p. 498
a.
[
G.E.M]
