[915] Parazonium = παρά + ζώνη. Pugio, our ‘poniard,’ is from pugnus (πύξ), the fist; others take it from pungere to prick.
[916] Smith (Dict. of Ant. p. 809) borrows figs. a and b from Beger (Thes. Brand, v., iii. p. 398, 419).
[917] See end of chap. viii.
[918] Smith (loc. cit. p. 195) renders capulus by ‘hilt.’ Pommel, however, best explains Ovid’s legend of Theseus (Met. vii. 423), who, appearing for the first time before his father Ægeus, was known by the carving on his ivory capulus, and thus escaped Medea’s aconite. Moreover, a ‘golden hilt set with beryls’ would have been very awkward to handle.
[919] Virg. Æn. xii. 942.
[920] Section Beaumont. The grip has four hollows to fit the fingers. This indentation-system has been revived of late years, as shown by the swords of Victor Emmanuel and General Lamarmora in the Municipal Museum, Turin.
[921] Guard plates, accompanying cross-bars, have been found in Gaul.
[922] These rings appear on the scabbard of Tiberius.
[923] Here I rely upon Ammian. Marcell. (xxiv. 4; xxv. 3, 4, and passim). So great a reformer could not escape detraction in its most venomous form. His last words (attributed) Vicisti, Nazarene, must, I think, have been pronounced in Syriac-Arabic, Nasart’ yá Nasráni.
[924] Jähns, p. 198. He gives an illustration (Pl. xvii. 14) of the ‘Annæus’ monument at Bingen; there is a double balteus worn round the waist for the Spatha, or long Sword, to the right, and the Pugio to the left, both being carried perpendicularly. The Roman Parazonium is also rare in collections.