Illustrated Companion to the Latin Dictionary/Falx

This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Rich, Anthony (1849). The illustrated companion to the Latin dictionary, and Greek lexicon. p. vi. OCLC 894670115. https://archive.org/details/illustratedcompa00rich. 

FALX (δρεπάνη, δρέπανον, ἅρπη). In a general sense, an instrument for cutting, with a curved blade and single edge; but made in various forms, as best adapted for the purposes to which it was applied, each of which was consequently distinguished by a characteristic epithet denoting the particular kind in view as: —

1. Foenaria and Veruculata. A scythe for mowing grass (Cato, R. R. x. 3. Pallad. i. 43. 1. Columell. ii. 21. 3.), always represented in ancient works of art with a long and straight handle, as in the annexed example (Falx/1.1), which is Egyptian; but the specimen in the preceding cut, and other instances on gems and coins, all present a similar figure.

2. Stramentaria and Messoria. A sickle for reaping corn. (Cato, R. R. x. 3. Pallad. i. 43. 1.) The illustration (Falx/2.1) represents an original discovered, amongst various other agricultural implements, in the city of Pompeii.

3. Denticulata (ἄρπη καρχαρόδος). A toothed sickle, employed, instead of the common one, for reaping in some parts of ancient Italy, Greece, and Egypt (Columell. ii. 21. 3.) The blade, which had its edge notched like a saw, was attached to the end of a short stick slightly bent in the back (Varro, R. R. 50. 2.); and, when in use, was held with the point upwards, in the position shown by our example (Falx/3.1), from an Egyptian painting, so that the reaper worked upwards, cutting the stalk a little below the ear (Job, xxiv. 24. "cut off the tops of the ears of corn."). The different modes of handling the toothed and the common sickle may be seen in two paintings from the tombs at Thebes, engraved by Wilkinson (Manners and Customs of the Egyptians, vol. iv. pp. 89. 98.).

4. Arboraria and Silvatica. The common hedge-bill, or bill-hook (Cato, R. R. x. 3. Id. xi. 4), employed by woodmen, hedgers, and labourers of that kind; and similar in every respect to the instrument used by the same class of persons in our own day, as shown by the example (Falx/4.1), from an original found at Pompeii.

5. Vinitoria, Vineatica, and Putatoria. The vine dresser's pruning-hook (Cato, R. R. xi. 4. Pallad. i. 43. 1. Columell. iv. 25. 1.); which was a complicated sort of instrument, furnished with a variety of different edges, in order to adapt it for the many nice operations required in the pruning of vines. Each of these parts bore an appropriate name, which will be readily understood by referring to the annexed engraving (Falx/5.1), representing one of these instruments from the MSS. of Columella. The straight edge immediately above the handle was termed culter, the coulter; the curved one beyond, sinus, the bend or hollow; the edge between the hollow and the point, scalprum, the knife; the hook itself, rostrum, the beak; the projecting spike beyond, mucro, the point; and the lunated edge at the back, securis, the axe.

6. A falchion (Cic. Mil. 33. Stat. Ach. ii. 419.); which has the upper extremity of its blade very much curved, so as in some respects to resemble a sickle; whence it is also expressly designated ensis falcatus (Ovid, Met. i. 718. ib. iv. 726.), or hamatus. (Id. Met. v. 80.) A weapon of this form is frequently assigned by poets and artists to Mercury and Perseus, and is represented in the annexed engraving (Falx/6.1), from a terra-cotta lamp (Bartoli, Lucerne, iii. 13. Compare Wink. Mon. Ant. Ined. 84.), where it appears in the hand of a young warrior designed in the heroic style, with shield, helmet, and mantle of skin.

7. Supina. The knife with a curved edge, and pointed blade, employed by the class of gladiators called Thracians (Thraces), which received its designation from the manner in which it was handled; being held rather down, and, as it were, on its back (supina, Juv. Sat. viii. 201.); i. e. with the edge uppermost, so that the thrust was made at the bottom of the belly, and the wound carried in a ripping direction upwards, precisely as the modern Italians now use their knives, and, as indicated by the annexed engraving (Falx/7.1), representing one of the above-named gladiators, on a terra-cotta lamp.

8. Muralis (δορυδρέπανον). An instrument employed in warfare, both naval and military, for cutting away the masts and rigging of an enemy's vessel, clearing the battlements of their defenders, or tearing down the stones and stockades which formed a bulwark. (Caes. B. G. iii. 14. Strabo, iv. 4. 1. Liv. xxxviii. 5. Caes. B. G. vii. 86.) This may be readily imagined, with a massive iron head, in the shape of a sickle, affixed to the end of a strong pole or beam, which could be worked by the hand or machinery, so as to mow, cut, or pull out, in the manner described.

9. Poetically used for DOLABRA (Prop. iv. 2. 59.); an instrument which has one of its sides made in a curved form, approximating to the shape of a sickle.

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  Falx/1.1
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  Falx/2.1
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  Falx/3.1
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  Falx/4.1
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  Falx/5.1
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  Falx/6.1
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  Falx/7.1