SICA
SICA a short curved sword, a weapon of the Thracians (
sica
Θρακικὸν ξίφος ἐπικαμπές,
Gloss. Labb.: cf. Clem. Alex.
Strom. 1.16, 75;
Isid.
Orig. 18.8). It was used therefore by the
[p. 2.672]Threces in the gladiatorial combats
(
Suet. Cal. 32;
Mart. 3.16): its shape explains the, “falx supiua”
in
Juv. 8.201 (see Mayor
ad
loc.;
GLADIATOR, Vol. I. p. 918
b). The annexed
 |
|
Sica.
|
woodcut, from a terra-cotta lamp, shows a
sica held by a Thracian (Baumeister,
Denkm. p.
2099). As being smaller than the ordinary sword, and therefore more easily
concealed, and perhaps as being sharp and deadly for a stab, it was the
favourite weapon of robbers and murderers (
sicarii), the
ferrum with which
“grassator agit rem” (
Juv.
3.305: cf.
Cic. Cat.
3.3, 8;
pro Mil. 14, 37); and hence, as a legal term,
inter sicarios comes to mean “on a
trial for murder.” [See
LEX CORNELIA p. 39.]
[
J.Y] [
G.E.M]
