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CYATHUS

Volume 7 · 135 words · 1842 Edition

κύαθος (from the verb κύω, fundo, to pour out), was a common measure among the Greeks and Romans, both of the liquid and dry kind. It was equal to an ounce, or the twelfth part of a pint. The cyathus was made with a handle like our punch ladle. The Roman toper used to drink as many cyathi as there were muses, namely nine; and also as many as there were letters in their patron's name. Thus they had modes of drinking similar to the modern health-drinking or toasting. The cyathus of the Greeks weighed ten drachms; but Galen says that a cyathus contained twelve drachms of oil, thirteen drachms and one scruple of wine, water, or vinegar, and eighteen drachms of honey; and he adds, that among the Veterinarii the cyathus contained two ounces.