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NEBRIS

NEBRIS a fawn's skin (from νεβρός, a fawn; see AEGIS), worn originally by hunters and others as an appropriate part of their dress, and afterwards attributed to Dionysus (Eur. Ba. 111, 126, 176; Aristoph. Ranae, 1211, &c.), and consequently assumed by his votaries in the processions and ceremonies which they observed in honour of him. [DIONYSIA] The annexed woodcut, taken from Sir W. Hamilton's Vases (1.37), shows a priestess of Bacchus in the attitude of offering a nebris to him or to one of his ministers. The works of ancient art often show it as worn not only by male and female bacchanals, but also by Paus.and Satyrs. [p. 2.226]It was commonly put on in the same manner as the aegis, or goat-skin, by tying the two forelegs

Nebris, fawn's skin. (From Greek vase.)

over the right shoulder so as to allow the body of the skin to cover the left side of the wearer. (Ovid. Met. 6.593.)

[J.Y]

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