Fig. 7. Acratophorum, Roman.
Acratophorum, Gr. and R. (ἀκρατο-φόρος, holding unmixed wine). A table vessel for holding pure wine, while the crater (κρατὴρ), on the other hand, contained wine mixed with water. These vessels were often dedicated to Bacchus. They were made in earthenware and metal, but those that were dedicated to the gods were of gold and silver, and had their place among the treasures of the temples. Fig. [7] represents a silver acratophorum found at Hildesheim.
Acrolith, Gr. (ἄκρον, end, and λίθος stone). A statue covered with garments which in many cases were gilded. The extremities of these statues were of marble or stone—whence their name—more rarely of gold and ivory. The Minerva of Areia, at Platæa in Bœotia, described by Pausanius, was an acrolith. This was by Pheidias. The acrolith period is the infancy of the Greek plastic art.
Acropodium, Gr. (ἄκρον, end or point; and πόδιον, a foot). A low square plinth serving for basement to a statue and often forming part of it.
Acropolis, Gr. (ἀκρό-πολις, upper or higher city). From its primary meaning the term came to signify a fortified city. They were very numerous, in ancient times, in Italy, Greece and the colonies of Asia Minor. Most ancient Greek cities were built upon hills, and the citadel on the summit of the hill was called the acropolis.
Acrostic, Chr. (ἄκρον, end, and στίχος, a row or line). A combination of letters formed out of some word, which is thus made to express a thought differing from its own meaning. For instance, the Greek word ΙΧΘΥΣ (ICHTHUS, fish), symbolizes, in the primitive church, the name of Christ. The following is the acrostic of this word: Ιησους, Χριστος, Θεου, Υἱος, Σωτηρ I, CH, TH, U, S.
Fig. 8. Roman acrostolium.
Acrostolium, Gr. and R. (ἀκροστόλιον, extremity of beak of a ship). An ornament employed by the ancients to decorate the upper extremity of the prows of ships. This ornament often figured among trophies, since it was the custom for the victor in a naval combat to take the acrostolia from the captured ships. It is frequently to be met with on the bas-reliefs of triumphal monuments. Fig. [8] shows an acrostolium taken from a bas-relief in the Museum of the Capitol. The object seen projecting from the acrostolium is a sounding lead.