CALCAR
CALCAR (
μύωψ,
ἐγκεντρίς), a spur, an implement to which we find no
reference in the Homeric writings, in which riding is so rarely mentioned, a
goad (
κέντρον) taking its place. Even in
later Greek authors, it is often difficult to determine whether a goad or a
spur is signified. But in Theophr.
Char. xxi., where the
μικροφιλότιμος, after taking part in a
πομπή, walks about the market-place
ἐν τοῖς μύωψι, we have a clear
reference to spurs. Cf.
Anth. P. 5.203;
Diod. 17.20; Pollux, 1.210, 10.54, and perhaps Plat.
Apol. 30 E, where, however, it is not clear whether
μύωψ is a spur, or the fly from whose
goading bite the spur was named. Similarly in works of art spurs are but
seldom represented. A spur, however, is indicated on one foot of an Amazon
on a vase of probably the 4th century (
Bulletin de
l'Académie de Bruxelles, xi. p. 76); and the left
foot of the statue of an Amazon in the Vatican, which is held to be a copy
from Pheidias, shows how the spur was fastened to the foot,
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Calcaria, Bronze Spurs. (British Museum.)
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although the spur itself has been broken off. Bronze spurs have
also been found at Dodona (
Académie des
Inscriptions, June 1877).
Among the Romans the name leaves us in no
[p. 1.332]doubt
about the use of this appliance ( “calcaria dicta, quia in calce
hominis ligantur ad stimulandos equos,” Isid.
Orig. 20.16, 6), and we find the word used as early as
Plautus (
As. 3.3, 118), and very frequently in later writers.
Numerous examples of Roman spurs are in the museums.
[
J.Y] [
J.H.F]
