Diabathrum, Gr. and R. (βάθρον, that on which one stands). A sandal or light shoe worn by women, especially such as were tall. The comic poet Alexis, talking of courtesans, says, “One is too short, and so she puts cork in her baukides; another is too tall, and she puts on a light diabathrum.”
Diaconicum, Scevophylacium, and Bematis Diaconicon, Chr. A room in an ancient basilica near the altar, where the priests put on and took off their vestments, and the deacons (διάκονοι) prepared the vessels and sacred ornaments to be used in the service. Diaconicum majus was the sacristy.
Diadema, R. (diadeô, to bind round). Originally the white fillet worn by Eastern monarchs round the head. It was made of silk, wool, or yarn, narrow, but wider in the centre of the forehead. The Greeks presented a diadem to every victor in the public games, and it was worn by priests and priestesses. As the emblem of sovereignty it is an attribute of Juno. Afterwards the term came to mean a diadem.
Diæta, Gr. and R. (i. e. a living-place). That part of a house in which a Roman received his guests. The same term was applied to a captain’s cabin in the after-part of a ship.
Diætæ, R. Summer-houses. (See Hortus.)
Diaglyph, Gr. and R. (διαγλύφω, to carve through). An intaglio, or design cut into the material on which it is executed. (See Intaglio.)
Diaglyphic. (Sculpture, engraving, &c.) in which the objects are sunk below the general surface.
Diagonal Rib, Arch. A cross formed by the intersection of the ribs which cut one another according to the groins of a groined roof.
Dialia, Gr. and R. (διάλια, from Δὶς, old form for Ζεύς). Festivals held in honour of Jupiter by the Flamen Dialis (the priest of Jupiter).
Diamastigosis, Gr. (διαμαστίγωσις, i. e. a severe scourging). A festival held at Sparta in honour of Artemis Orthia, during which boys were flogged at an altar in order to harden them to the endurance of pain.