AEDIC´ULA
AEDIC´ULA signifies in the singular a room (Plaut.
Epid. 402 ), but in the plural a small house (Ter.
Phorm, 663). It is, however, more frequently used in the
sense of a shrine, whether attached to a temple (
Liv.
35.9,
aediculam Victoriae virginis prope aedem Victoriae
M. Porcius Cato dedicavit), or quite an independent building, of
which there are many representations in works of art; or finally niches in
the walls of temples or houses, containing images of gods and goddesses,
like that here figured (Overbeck,
Bildwerke, pl.
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Aedicula or Shrine.
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30, 1). (
Liv. 35.41;
Plin. Nat. 33.19; Petron. 29; Apul.
Met. p. 96:
Eponae deae simulacrum residens aediculae.) The
topographers of Rome speak of 423
aediculae in
Rome, one for every
vicus; these were probably
partly chapels, partly niches, and were usually placed at the cross-ways.
They contained the images of the tutelary deity of the
vicus. On the other hand, the
aediculae within the house contained images of the Lares and
Penates. There were also portable shrines, often of precious materials, like
those made at Ephesus (
Act. Ap. 19.4).
[
A.S.W]