the attic stelai - The American School of Classical Studies at Athens

254 W. KENDRICK PRITCHETT
Pollux (X, 40) refers to a passage in Kratinos (frag. 269: Kock, C.A.F., I, p. 93)
where reference is made to the cushion on the rower's bench.294 Saglio had discussed
the word in Daremberg-Saglio, s.v. Cervical. I have found no corresponding article
in the R.E., although the word is mentioned by Herzog-Hauser, s.v. Torus.
Pollux specifically states (X, 40) that wool, leather, and linen proskephalaia were
sold from the property of Alkibiades, and Stele II preserves the entry for seven
leather ones. A reference to linen cushions in the Delian accounts is noted by Deonna
(De'los, XVIII, p. 263, note 14). Proskephalaia were stuffed with feathers, wool,
cotton, rabbits' hair, or similar material.295 With regard to color, Gow states (ad
Theokritos 15, 3): " Hermippus (fr. 63, 23) mentions 'TrOtKtXa 7rpoo-KEfiXaca from
Carthage, and on Attic vases the cushions are often of striped pattern; and the rugs
and cushions are so painted on a stone couch at Vathia (Ath. Mitt., 26, T. 17)."
Prices. In the Edict of Diocletian, proskephalaia were not priced separately, but
were listed with mattresses (tyle). The maximum price for the two together varied
from 250 to 2,750 denarii.296 The more expensive ones were presumably of linen; for
they are mentioned as coming from places which were noted for linen textiles.297 For
prices of pillows in Egypt, see A. C. Johnson, " Roman Egypt," Economic Survey, II,
p. 473.
9. 4itaOoS (I, 108; II, 220). Rush-mat. The etymology of the word is obscure;
Boisacq, Dictionnaire4, p. 1077. Special articles are those of Pottier in Daremberg-
Saglio, s.v. Matta, and of Hug in R.E., s.v. Matta. The psiathos might be made of
papyrus 298 or of palm-leaves.299 Athenaeus, citing Antigonos of Karystos, says that
either a psiathos or a sheepskin was provided on a kline,300 depending on whether it
was summer or winter. It might be used as a mattress and a bed,30' but this usage was
not inherent in the word. Thus Pollux (VI, 11) needs to specify one particular
psiathos, that for sleeping, as a chameunia. The mat in Theophrastos, H.P., IX, 4, 4,
was clearly not used for sleeping.
294 For the same meaning, see Hesychius, s.v. ravLKr 'v. Cf. Pollux, VI, 9, and Gow ad Theokritos,
15, 3.
295 See Bliimner, Technologie, I2, p. 217.
296 Col. XXVIII, 46-55.
297
Cf. Broughton, " Roman Asia Minor," Economic Survey, IV, p. 616.
298 Theophrastos, H.P., IV, 8, 4.
299
Theophrastos, H.P., IX, 4, 4.
300 X, 420 a.
301
Aristophanes, Lys., 921; Aristotle, H.A., VI, 559 b; Plutarch, Mor., 236 b, where the point
is that it is a very mean way to sleep; schol. ad Aristophanes, Ranae, 567. Cf. Ransom (Couches
and Beds, p. 110) who defines the word as a ' rush mat to throw over a bed.'