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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884 Excerpt:... to Serapis, Isis, Sol, and Luna, from a terra-cotta lamp. LEC'TULUS (KUviiiov). Diminutive of LECTUS, both as regards inferiority of size, furniture, and materials. It is thus a small or simple couch for sleeping (Cic. Cat. i. 4. Id. Fin. ii. 30.), or for dining (Id. Mur. 36.); and very generally, a sort of sofa, forming part of the usual furniture in a study (Plin. Ep. v. 5. 5. Ov. Trist. i. 11. 39.), and on which it was a common practice to recline at length while reading, and even writing, the tablet being placed against one knee, which was raised up as a support for the purpose. The sleep in (cubicularis, Cic. Div. ii. 65.). The ancient bedsteads were of considerable height, requiring a footstool (scamnum),. or a set of steps (gradus) to get into them; and were made like our largest-sized sofas, with a head board anaclintei ium), sometimes a corresponding one against the feet, and a high back (pluteus) on the further side, but entirely open on the one at which the occupants entered (sponda). The frame was strung with girths (fascia, restes, iiistitce), which supported a thick mattress (torus, culcita), on which were placed a bolster and pillow (cubital, cervical). All these particulars are exhibited in the annexed example, from a bas-relief in the British Museum. 2. Lectus genialis (ivvt/). The marriage bed; to which the wife 37 6 LECTUS. 3. Leetus adversus. A sort of symbolical marriage bed; so termed, because it was placed in the atrium opposite the entrance of the house; or, perhaps, the lectus genialis itself was brought out after the marriage and placed in the atrium; and on this the mistress of the household used to sit, as it were, in state, while she superintended the labours of her slaves and attendants who worked at their looms in that apartm...