CISSYB´IUM
CISSYB´IUM (
κισσύβιον）
was a large wooden rustic cup with one handle (Philemon and Neoptolemus ap.
Ath. 476f, 477 a), sometimes found mentioned
as highly adorned with carvings, and having two handles (Theocr. 1.27). It
is mentioned in Homer as belonging to the Cyclops (
Od. 9.346) and to Eumaeus (14.78 = 16.52). In shape it was
rather deep, like the
scyphus (
Od. 14.78, compared with 112;
Eur. Cycl. 390,
Androm. fr. 33; Clitarch. ap. Ath. 477a), which was the cup of
rustics (Asclep. ap.
Ath. 477d). It somewhat
resembled the modern tea-cup (Birch, p. 451). The word is derived from
κισσός, and means most probably
“made of ivy-wood,” as is the opinion of the Schol. on
Theocr. 1.27, of Eumolp. ap.
Ath. 477a, of
Athenaeus himself (477 d), of Serenus Sammonicus ( “mollibus ex
hederae tornentur pocula lignis,” 23.3), and most of the moderns
(see Seiler,
Wörterbuch des Homeros, s. v.); but
Poll. 6.97 and Liddell and Scott (s. v.), followed by Paley on
Eur. Alc. 756, consider the name came from the
ivy wreaths sometimes found carved round the cup (Theocr.
l.c.), and compare
corymbatus, hederatus,
&c., applied to vessels in this latter sense in Trebell.
Claud. 17. Birch (p. 378) leaves the question undecided.
But would the rustic Eumaeus and the savage Cyclops have had cups with
ornamental carving? Panofka gives a specimen (
Recherches,
&100.5.76), which is approved by Ussing (p. 127).
[
L.C.P]
