capsarii

CAPSA´RIIthe name of three different classes of slaves:--1. Of those who took care of the clothes of persons while bathing in the public baths. [BALNEAEp. 275 a.] In later times they were subject to the jurisdiction of the praefectus vigilum (Dig. 50, tit. 15, s. 3). 2. Of those who had the care of the capsae, in which books and letters were kept. [CAPSA] 3. Of those who carried the books, &c., of boys to school. [CAPSA] 4. A fourth kind of capsarii are mentioned, not as slaves, but as a class of soldiers enjoying certain privileges. In an inscription they are joined with librarii, and probably guarded the chests containing military papers and registers. (Dig. 50, 6, 7; Rénier, Inscr. de l'Algérie, 63 Saglio, s. v.)

(1) A name applied to two classes of Roman slaves: (a) Those who took care of the clothes of persons bathing at the public bathhouses. (See balneae.) (b) Those who had charge of the capsae in which books or letters were kept. (See capsa.)

(2) Soldiers who guarded the chests containing the military papers and registers. (See Dig. 1. 6, 7.)