ACROBATICA, or ACROBATICUM, from acros,
high, and balis, or balus, I go; an ancient engine
whereby people were raised aloft, that they might see
more conveniently about them. The acrobatica among
the Greeks amounted to the same with what they call
scenarium among the Latins. Authors are divided as
to the use of this engine. Turnebus and Barbarus
take it to have been of the military kind, raised by be-
siegers, high enough to overlook the walls, and discover
the state of things on the other side. Baldus rather
supposes it a kind of moveable scaffold, or cradle, con-
trived for raising painters, plasterers, and other work-
men, to the tops of houses, trees, &c. Some suspect
that it might have been used for both purposes; which
is the opinion of Vitruvius and Aquinas.