Tus
and (incorrectly)
Thus (
λιβανωτός).
Frankincense; a fragrant gum from a tree of Arabian growth, employed by the ancients at the
sacrifice, in the service of the temples, and other ceremonials. It was carried to the altar
by a boy (
camil-
 |
|
Turibulum. (Pompeian bronze.)
|
lus) in a small square case (
acerra), from which a
few grains were taken out, and sprinkled over the burning altar (
ara
turicrema); or it was made up into pastilles, which were carried in a deep dish (
catinus), and thence dropped upon a lighted brazier (
focus
turicremus); or, finally, it was kindled in a censer (
turibulum),
which was carried in the hand, and swung backwards and forwards to give out and diffuse its
vapour, as in the ceremonies of the Roman Catholic Church (
Hor.
Carm. iii. 8, 2;
Pers. v. 120). See the
illustration from a Pompeian bronze original. Cf.
Acerra;
Sacrificium.
