Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Anguis

Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary, and Greek Lexicon (Rich, 1849)

ANGUIS. 1. A serpent, or snake, which amongst the Romans was employed as a symbolical representation of the genius loci, or presiding spirit of a place. (Serv. ad Virg. Aen. v. 85.) Figures of serpents were therefore painted against a wall, in the same way as the cross is in modern Italy, to deter the public from contaminating the spot, and answered the same purpose as our injunction "Commit no nuisance." Pers. Sat. i. 113.

These signs are frequently met with in the houses of Pompeii, in kitchens, bake-houses, and such places, where cleanliness is particularly desirable; and generally with an altar between them, as seen in the annexed illustration (Anguis/1.1), which was copied by the writer from one of the corridors leading into the Thermae of Trajan at Rome. It is painted in fresco, and has the following inscription underneath.

IOVEM ET JUNONEM ET DUODECIM DEOS IRATOS HABEAT QUISQUIS HIC MINXERIT AUT CACARIT.

2. A military ensign made in imitation of the figure of a serpent, and which was adopted in the Roman armies for the ensign of a cohort. (Claud. in Rufin. ii. 5. 177. Sidon. Apoll. 5. 40.) It was more commonly termed DRACO, under which name the materials, character, and uses are more fully described. The illustration (Anguis/2.1) is copied from the column of Trajan.

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  Anguis/1.1
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  Anguis/2.1