MA´NTICA
MA´NTICA (
πήρα,
θύλακος), properly a hand-bag, a wallet or
travelling bag, in which a few necessaries could be carried. It was carried
in the hand or slung over the shoulder (Appul.
Met. 1.60;
Catull. 22, 21; Pers. 4, 24), or strapped on behind the saddle of the horse,
“mantica cui lumbos onere ulceret” (Hor.
Sat. 1.6, 106). The later word
averta was a larger sort of saddle-bag, usually of leather.
Either would suffice to carry, besides provisions, whatever change of
clothes the poorer traveller needed. The rich entrusted their luggage to the
attendant slaves, who packed it up in bundles. Thus the Greek
στρώματα (Arist.
Av. 616;
Ran. 12), carried on a journey by the slave, means a roll
of clothes as well as bedding; and these were also more methodically packed
in a
στρωματόδεσμος, or large bag. (Plat.
Theaet. p. 175 E; Aesch.
Fals. Leg.
§ 99; Poll. 7.79; Rutherford,
New Phryn. p. 487.)
[
G.E.M]
