SECTOR. [[Sectio].]
SĔCŪRIS (ἀξινη, πέλεκυς), an axe or hatchet. The axe was either made with a single edge, or with a blade or head on each side of the haft, the latter kind being denominated bipennis. The axe was used as a weapon of war chiefly by the Asiatic nations. It was a part of the Roman fasces. [[Fasces].]
SĔCŪTŌRES. [[Gladiatores].]
Sellae Curules. (The top figure from the Vatican collection;
the two bottom figures from the Museum at Naples.)
SELLA, the general term for a seat or chair of any description.—(1) Sella Curulis, the chair of state. Curulis is derived by the ancient writers from currus, but it more probably contains the same root as curia. The sella curulis is said to have been used at Rome from a very remote period as an emblem of kingly power, having been imported, along with various other insignia of royalty, from Etruria. Under the republic the right of sitting upon this chair belonged to the consuls, praetors, curule aediles, and censors; to the flamen dialis; to the dictator, and to those whom he deputed to act under himself, as the magister equitum, since he might be said to comprehend all magistracies within himself. After the downfall of the constitution, it was assigned to the emperors also, or to their statues in their absence; to the augustales, and perhaps, to the praefectus urbi. It was displayed upon all great public occasions, especially in the circus and theatre; and it was the seat of the praetor when he administered justice. In the provinces it was assumed by inferior magistrates, when they exercised proconsular or propraetorian authority. We find it occasionally exhibited on the medals of foreign monarchs likewise, as on those of Ariobarzanes II. of Cappadocia, for it was the practice of the Romans to present a curule chair, an ivory sceptre, a toga praetexta, and such-like ornaments, as tokens of respect and confidence to those rulers whose friendship they desired to cultivate. The sella curulis appears from the first to have been ornamented with ivory; and at a later period it was overlaid with gold. In shape it was extremely plain, closely resembling a common folding camp-stool with crooked legs. The sella curulis is frequently represented upon the denarii of Roman families. In the following cut are represented two pair of bronze legs, belonging to a sella curulis, and likewise a sella curulis itself.—(2) Sella Gestatoria, or Fertoria, a sedan used both in town and country, and by men as well as by women. It is expressly distinguished from the [Lectica], a portable bed or sofa, in which the person carried lay in a recumbent position, while the sella was a portable chair, in which the occupant sat upright. It differed from the cathedra also, but in what the difference consisted, it is not easy to determine. [[Cathedra].] It appears not to have been introduced until long after the lectica was common, since we scarcely, if ever, find any allusion to it until the period of the empire. The sella was sometimes entirely open, but more frequently shut in. It was made sometimes of plain leather, and sometimes ornamented with bone, ivory, silver, or gold, according to the fortune of the proprietor. It was furnished with a pillow to support the head and neck (cervical); the motion was so easy that one might study without inconvenience, while at the same time it afforded a healthful exercise.—(3) Chairs for ordinary domestic purposes have been discovered in excavations, or are seen represented in ancient frescoes, many displaying great taste.
Sellae, Chairs. (The right-hand figure from the Vatican collection;
the left-hand figure from a Painting at Pompeii.)
SĒMIS, SĒMISSIS. [[As].]
SĒMUNCĬA. [[Uncia].]