SIMPU´LUM
SIMPU´LUM or
SIMPU´VIUM, a
ladleshaped earthenware vessel, like a cyathus, but of ruder form. Varro
(
L. L. 5.124) tells us that it was supplanted at the
dinner table by its Greek equivalent [
CYATHUS], but retained for sacrifices, and Pliny (
Plin. Nat. 35.158) notes that it was still,
by old custom, made of earthenware. The definition of Festus is, “vas
parvum non dissimile cyatho quo vinum in sacrificiis libatur: unde et
mulieres rebus divinis deditae simpulatrices dicuntur.”
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Simpulum and Malleus.
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The cut here given is from the relief on the Arcus Argentariorum, and shows
the sacred simpulum combined with the malleus used for striking certain
victims. [See
SECURIS]
The question naturally presents itself, What was the relation of this vessel
to the patera? Representations in Greek art show the wine poured into the
patera from a jug. Was the jug similarly used in Roman sacrifices, and
filled by means of a simpulum, or was the wine taken from the crater by a
simpulum and poured straight into the patera? Our impression is that neither
supposition is correct, and that the patera was not used at all in the
ritus Romanus [see
SACRIFICIUM p. 586], but was
introduced along with the
ritus Graecus, in
which the simpulum had no place. The writer has given his reasons for this
view in the
Classical Review, vol. iv. p. 69. It may be
observed briefly here: 1. That the patera was the emblem of the Epulones, a
comparatively recent order [see
EPULONES], while the simpulum is the emblem of the Pontifex, who
belongs to the old Roman religion (cf.
Cic.
de Rep. 6.2, 11; Marquardt,
Staatsverw. 3.221). 2. That the representation of sacrificial
implements in the Arcus Argentariorum shows a simpulum but no patera, which
will be intelligible if the two were not used in the same rite. 3. That in
the decree relating to silver articles retained for sacred purposes in the
year the patella and salinum are mentioned, but not the patera (
Liv. 26.36;
PATELLA). This is accounted for if we assume the patera to have
[p. 2.676]been introduced later; the simpulum being
always of earthenware would naturally not be mentioned. 4. The words of
Varro and Festus cited above tend to show that the simpulum was a form of
Roman vessel handed down from primitive times before the introduction of
Greek shapes, and with this agrees the mention in
Juv.
6.343 of the
simpuvium and
niger catinus of Numa (the latter perhaps a
praefericulum) as primitive sacrificial utensils. If the view here taken is
correct, we must suppose that the sacrificial simpulum was used in
sacrifices
ritu Romano to take wine from the
larger vessel, or crater, and either transfer it to the
capis, or pour it directly in libation, as appears in the
passages of Festus and Pliny.
[
G.E.M]
