A.wreath, garland, chaplet, esp. of the priest's laurel-wreath, wound round a staff, “στέμματ᾽ ἔχων ἐν χερσὶ . . χρυσέῳ ἀνὰ σκήπτρῳ” Il.1.14, 373; σκῆπτρον καὶ ς. θεοῖο ib.28, cf. E.Andr.894; sts. worn on the head, “ς. ἐπὶ τῶν κεφαλῶν ἐχούσας” Pl.R.617c; Φοῖβος ἔλακεν ἐκ τῶν ς. from shrine with chaplcts decked, Ar.Pl.39, cf. E.Ion 1310, Th.4.133; used in sacrificial ceremony, στέμμασι πυκασθείς (of victim) Hdt.7.197, cf. SIG1025.31 (Cos, iv/iii B.C.); ς. πάλας, as a prize, Epigr.Gr. 247 (Mysia); στέμματ᾽ Ὀλυμπιάδων ib.881 (Cyzicus), etc.; ὁ ἐπὶ τῶν στεμμάτων an official connected with the crowns of office of magistrates (cf. στεπτικός, στέφανος), PFay.87i10 (ii A.D.), POxy.2130.7 (iii A.D.), cf. PRyl.77.28 (ii A.D.).
2. Sch.S.OT3 says the στέμματα were wreaths of wool wound round the olive-branch; hence “στέμματα ξήνασ᾽” E.Or.12.
II. in pl., στέμματα pedigrees, family trees, Plu. Num.1; Lat. stemmata quid faciunt? Juv.8.1, cf. Plin.HN35.6.
2. guild, CIG3995b (Iconium);= φυλή, ib.9897 (Smyrna, Jewish); ὑπὲρ φιλοκυνηγῶν τοῦ ς. guild of huntsmen, Supp.Epigr.3.499 (Philippi).
