Fusus, spindle.
G
GĂBINUS CINCTUS. [[Toga].]
GAESUM (γαισός), a term probably of Celtic origin, denoting a kind of javelin which was used by the Gauls wherever their ramifications extended. It was a heavy weapon, the shaft being as thick as a man could grasp, and the iron head barbed, and of an extraordinary length compared with the shaft.
GĂLĔA (κράνος, poet. κόρυς, πήληξ), a helmet; a casque. The helmet was originally made of skin or leather, whence is supposed to have arisen its appellation, κυνέη, meaning properly a helmet of dog-skin, but applied to caps or helmets made of the hide of other animals, and even to those which were entirely of bronze or iron. The leathern basis of the helmet was also very commonly strengthened and adorned by the addition of either bronze or gold. Helmets which had a metallic basis were in Latin properly called cassides, although the terms galea and cassis are often confounded. The additions by which the external appearance of the helmet was varied, and which served both for ornament and protection, were the following:—1. Bosses or plates (φάλος), proceeding either from the top or the sides, and varying in number from one to four (ἀμφίφαλος, τετράφαλος). The φάλος was often an emblematical figure, referring to the character of the wearer. Thus in the colossal statue of Athena in the Parthenon at Athens, she bore a sphinx on the top of her helmet, and a griffin on each side. 2. The helmet thus adorned was very commonly surmounted by the crest (crista, λόφος), which was often of horse-hair. 3. The two cheek-pieces (bucculae, παραγναθίδες), which were attached to the helmet by hinges, so as to be lifted up and down. They had buttons or ties at their extremities, for fastening the helmet on the head. 4. The beaver, or visor, a peculiar form of which is supposed to have been the αὐλῶπις τρυφάλεια, i.e. the perforated beaver. The gladiators wore helmets of this kind.
Galeae, helmets. (From ancient Gems,—size of originals.)
GĂLĒRUS or GALĒRUM, originally a covering for the head worn by priests, especially by the flamen dialis. It appears to have been a round cap made of leather, with its top ending in an apex or point. [[Apex].] In course of time the name was applied to any kind of cap fitting close to the head like a helmet. Galerus and its diminutive Galericulum are also used to signify a covering for the head made of hair, and hence a wig.
GALLI, the priests of Cybelé, whose worship was introduced at Rome from Phrygia. The Galli were, according to an ancient custom, always castrated, and it would seem that, impelled by religious fanaticism, they performed this operation on themselves. In their wild, enthusiastic, and boisterous rites they resembled the Corybantes. They seem to have been always chosen from a poor and despised class of people, for, while no other priests were allowed to beg, the Galli were permitted to do so on certain days. The chief priest among them was called archigallus.