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[346] κισσύβιον. In Eur. Cycl.383 we have “σκύφος κισσοῦ”, and in Hom. Od.14. 78“κισσύβιον” is used for a milking-pail. In Theocr. 1. 27 it stands for a drinking-cup, and is called “σκύφος”, ib. 143; but the description Theocr. gives of the wreath of ivy carven round its lip seems to suggest the meaning of ‘decorated with ivy,’ rather ‘than made of ivy wood.’ Fritzsche, on Theocr. 1, states that “κισσοῦβι” is a common name for a milking-pail at the present day in the Ionian islands: and he quotes from AmpeliusHom. Od., 8. 13‘Sami in templo Iunonis est scyphus factus ex hedera.’ On the whole we may suppose that ivy-wood was originally the material that gave its name to “κισσύβιον”, but that afterwards “κισσύβιον” was used generally for a wooden cup or bowl.

Homer's Odyssey. W. Walter Merry. James Riddell. D. B. Monro. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1886-1901.

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hide References (3 total)
  • Commentary references from this page (3):
    • Euripides, Cyclops, 383
    • Homer, Odyssey, 14.78
    • Homer, Odyssey, 8.13
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