CYMBA
CYMBA (
κύμβη), literally a
hollow, was a small boat, probably made originally from the hollow of a
tree, used on rivers and lakes, &c., especially by fishermen. Pliny
ascribes its invention to the Phoenicians. (
Plin.
Nat. 7.208; Afran.
in Non. p. 535,
31;
Verg. G. 4.195;
Cic. de Off. 3.1. 4, 59;
cymba adunca,
Ov. Met. 1.293;
concava, Am.
3.6, 4;
Fast. 6.777.) The poets give the name
of
cymba to Charon's boat. (
Verg. A. 6.303;
Georg. iv,
 |
|
Cymba, Charon's boat, with Hermes, conducting a soul. (From a
Roman lamp.)
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506;
Hor. Carm. 2.3.28; Prop. iii. (iv.)
18, 24.) The diminutive
cymbula is used of a
small boat attached to larger vessels. (
Plin. Ep.
8.20.7.)
[
W.S]
