Lectīca
（
φορεῖον, σκιμπόδιον). A sort of litter, or palanquin,
introduced into Greece and Italy from the East; at first, as an article of luxury for women,
but afterwards very generally used for men as well. The body consisted of a wooden case with
low sides to it, like the bier (
capulus, ferentum), upon which a corpse
was carried out (Aul. Gell. x.3.2); with uprights which supported a wooden tester, like the
pluteus. This roof was covered with leather (
Mart.xi. 98), and curtains (
vela, plagae, plagulae) were
suspended from it, which might be closed all round (
Suet.
Tit. 10), or drawn back, as in the illustration, when it was said to be
open (
aperta,
Cic. Phil. ii.
24);
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Supposed form of Lectica. (Ginzrot.)
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but in some cases it was a close conveyance (
clausa), having
the sides fitted with panels and windows, which could be opened or shut at pleasure (
Juv.iii. 242). The inmate reclined upon a soft mattress or feather-bed
( Juv. l. 159), with a bolster to support the back (
cervical), so that he
could read, write, or sleep within it. According to the wealth of the owner and the size of
the
letica, it was borne by two, four, six, or eight tall slaves (
lecticarii). Fragments of a lectica were found at Rome on the Esquiline in
1874.
