SOCCUS
SOCCUS
dim. SO´CCULUS, denoted a slipper or low
shoe, which did not fit closely, and was not fastened by any tie (Isid.
Orig. 19.33). Shoes of this description (e. g. the
πέρσικαι and
σιάβαθρον: see
CALCEUS) were worn, more especially among the Greeks, together
with the
PALLIUM both by men
and by women. We find “socci viriles et muliebres”
distinguished in
Ed. Diocl. 9, 25: the latter seem to be
usually more ornamented (
Plin. Nat.
37.17; of.
Suet. Cal. 52). In the time
of the Republic it was considered unbefitting a Roman to wear them (
Cic. pro Rab. Post. 10,
27), and classed with wearing the pallium instead of the toga.
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A comic actor wearing Socci.
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As was stated under the article BAXA, the soccus
was worn by comic actors (Hor.
Ars Poët. 80, 90),
and was in this respect opposed to the
COTHURNUS (
Ov. Rem.
Am. 376;
Mart. 8.3,
13;
Plin. Nat.
7.111). The actor of the
MIMUS wore neither buskin nor slipper, and
[p. 2.680]was therefore called
planipes (Teuffel,
§ 7; Mayor,
ad
Juv. 8.191). The preceding woodcut is taken from
an ancient painting of a comic actor, who is dancing in loose yellow
slippers (
luteum soccum, Catull.
Epithal. Jul. 10). Cf. Marquardt,
Privatleben, 595; Becker-Göll,
Gallus, 3.229. [
SOLEA]
[
J.Y] [
G.E.M]
