salinum

• masc. collat. form, plur., sălīni, Varr. ap. Non. 546, 14), a salt-cellar, Plaut. Pers. 2, 3, 15 (265); Hor. C. 2, 16, 14; Pers. 3, 25; 5, 138; also used at sacrifices, Liv. 26, 36; Val. Max. 4, 4, 3; Arn. 2, 91.—Prov.: salinum cum sale obsignare, Plaut. Pers. 2, 3, 15 (265).

• sal; sc. vas, a vessel for salt, salt-cellar, H., L.

SALI´NUMdim. SALILLUM, a salt-cellar. Among the poor a shell served for a salt-cellar (Hor. Sat. 1.3, 14; Schol. ad loc.); but all who were raised above poverty had one of silver which descended from father to son (Hor. Carm. 2.16, 13; Liv. 26.36), and was accompanied by a silver patella, which was used together with the salt-cellar in the domestic sacrifices (Pers. 3.24, 25). These two articles of silver were alone compatible with the simplicity of Roman manners in the early times of the Republic (Plin. Nat.33.153; Val. Max.). The salt-cellar was no doubt placed in the middle of the table, to which it communicated a sacred character, from the offering of the mola salsa to the Lares. [Compare LARARIUM; PATELLA; Becker-Göll, Gallus, 3.398.] In shape the salinum was probably in most cases a round shallow bowl. Probably some of the small silver bowls from Montcornet (Aisne), in the British Museum (referred to under PIPERATORIUM), are salt-cellars.

dim. Salillum. A salt-cellar; usually of silver, but among the poorer classes merely a shell (Hor. Sat. i. 3, 14). It was probably set in the middle of the table and had a sort of sanctity, inasmuch as salted meal (mola salsa) was offered to the Lares.