Fig. 533. Thalia, the Muse of Comedy. Wearing the chiton and peplos.
Peplum and Peplus, Gr. (πέπλον and πέπλος). The robe peculiarly proper to Minerva. (See Panathenæa.) A large full robe or shawl worn by women, corresponding to the himation or pallium of the men. On occasions of funerals or weddings this shawl was thrown over the head as a veil. The choicest productions of the loom in antiquity were pepli; and the most splendid dyes, and curious workmanship, and skilful designs were lavished upon their manufacture. They were a common form of offering to the treasures of the temples. A fine statue in the British Museum represents the Muse Thalia wearing the peplos and chiton, and holding the pastoral pedum in her hand. (Fig. [533].)
Per, Her. In blazoning the divisions of a shield the term “per,” signifying “by” or “by means of,” is employed sometimes alone, and sometimes (having the same signification) with the word “party” or “parted.” The following are the primary divisions of a shield:—Fig. a, Per Pale, or Parted per Pale, or Party per Pale; Fig. b, Per Fesse or Parted per Fesse; Fig. c, Per Cross or Quarterly (Per Pale and Per Fesse together); Fig. d, Per Bend; Fig. e, Per Bend Sinister; Fig. f, Per Saltire (Per Bend and Per Bend Sinister); Fig. g, Per Chevron; Fig. h, Per Tierce or Tiercée (divided into three equal divisions by two vertical lines). (Boutell.)
Fig. 534. Divisions of the heraldic shield.
Pera, R. (πήρα). A wallet or haversack of leather or hide, which was carried, slung over the shoulder, by travellers, peasants, and beggars. The Cynic philosophers, anticipating the fraternity of the Gueux, adopted the wallet as a distinctive part of their costume.
Pergula, R. (pergere, to continue on). Generally, any construction added to another beyond the original plan, generally in the way of a lean-to; e. g. a balcony built over the colonnades of a forum, or a gallery placed on a house-top; a room in which paintings were exhibited; a lecture-room, &c.
Periactos, R. (περί-ακτος, i. e. that turns round). A theatrical machine used by the ancients; it was of very simple construction, being formed of three frames arranged so as to form a triangular prism, on each face of which a different scene was painted. At each side of the stage there was a periactos which turned on pivots as required, so as to admit of a rapid change of scene.
Periapts, O. E. Charms worn about the neck. (Shakspeare.)
Peribolê, Gr. and R. (περιβολὴ, an enclosing). The sacred enclosure of a temple, which was in some instances of sufficient size to contain not only altars and statues of the god, but shrines and a sacred wood. In Christian architecture the word was used for the wall of enclosure of the choir, &c.