), a vessel with a
narrow mouth or neck, from which liquids were poured in drops; hence its
Gutti. (British Museum.)
“Qui vinum dabant ut minutatim funderent, a guttis guttum appellarunt
” (Varr. L.
5.124 M.). Varro goes on to say that for pouring out wine at the
banquet it had been superseded by the epichysis
; but retained its place in
sacrificial libations, especially of the domestic sort (Hor. Sat.
1.6, 118, with Orelli's note; Plin. Nat. 16.185
). The guttus was of the
plainest shape and materials; it differed from the CAPIS
(also used in sacrifices), EPICHYSIS
in being without. a
handle; and was, usually of coarse pottery, as in the specimens here figured
from the British Museum, though one of beech-wood is mentioned (faginus,
). It was
in common use as an oil-cruet, whether at table (Gel.
), or at the bath (Juv. 3.263
; cf. BALNEAE
p. 279 a,
a guttus and a strigil are engraved together). Oil was also kept in. large
horns (Hor. Sat.
2.2, 61; Mart. 14.52
); in the latter passage the lemma has, perhaps
improperly, guttus corneus.