SIMPŬLUM or SIMPŬVĬUM, the name of a small cup used in sacrifices, by
which libations of wine were offered to the gods. It is represented
on the coin figured under SECESPITA. There was a proverbial
expression _excitare fluctus in simpulo_, “to make much ado about
nothing.”
SĪPĂRĬUM, a piece of tapestry stretched on a frame, which rose before
the stage of the theatre, and consequently answered the purpose of
the drop-scene with us, although, contrary to our practice, it was
depressed when the play began, so as to go below the level of the
stage (_aulaea premuntur_), and was raised again when the performance
was concluded (_tolluntur_). It appears that human figures were
represented upon it, whose feet seemed to rest upon the stage when
this screen was drawn up. These figures were sometimes those of
Britons woven in the canvass, and raising their arms in the attitude
of lifting up a purple curtain, so as to be introduced in the same
manner as Atlantes, Persae, and Caryatides. [CARYATIDES.] In a more
general sense, _siparium_ denoted any piece of cloth or canvass
stretched upon a frame.
SISTRUM (σεῖστρον), a mystical instrument of music, used by the
ancient Egyptians in their ceremonies, and especially in the worship
of Isis. It was held in the right hand (see cut), and shaken, from
which circumstance it derived its name. The introduction of the
worship of Isis into Italy shortly before the commencement of the
Christian aera made the Romans familiar with this instrument.
[Illustration: Sistra. (The two figures on the left hand from
paintings found at Portici; the right-hand figure represents a
Sistrum formerly belonging to the library of St. Genovefa at Paris.)]