medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
Ferculum finale:
First a look back to Golden Latinity:
A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, John Murray, London, 1875:
FERCULUM (from fer-o), is appeared to any kind of tray or platform used for
carrying anything. Thus it is used to signify the tray or frame on which
several dishes were brought in at once at dinner (Petron. 35; Plin. H.N.
xxviii.2); and hence fercula came to mean the *number* of courses at dinner,
and even the dishes themselves (Suet. Aug. 74; Serv. ad Virg. Aen. i.637;
Juv. i.93, xi.64; Hor. Sat. ii.6.104; Mart. iii.50, ix.82, xi.31). The
ferculum was also used for carrying the images of the gods in the procession
of the circus (Suet. Jul. 76) [CIRCUS, p287a.], the ashes of the dead in a
funeral (Suet. Cal. 15), and the spoils in a triumph (Suet. Jul. 37; Liv.
i.10); in all which cases it appears to have been carried *on the shoulders*
or in the *hands of men.* The most illustrious captives were sometimes
placed on a ferculum in a triumph in order that they might be better seen
(Senec. Herc. Oet. 109)."
Another picture of fercula:
http://europeforvisitors.com/europe/articles/alkmaar_cheese_market.htm
> [Christopher wrote] why would "an insular situation" lead to this unique
terminology which, as far as i can see, has nothing particularly "insular"
about it, referentially?
Christopher, rather confusing for you: my speculation about "fercula" as
specific for a city island like Paris.
On accepting John's idea that "fercula" were means of transport with a long
tradition, I went back in history and I imagined the topography of Paris in
earlier, pre-post-Merovingian and -Carolingian times:
At latest since the Norman invasions, Paris has been, for the most part,
restricted to the "Ile de la Cité", a pretty little island, much smaller
than today, with much lower level and very broad and sandy banks and
flooding zones (archeological evidence). On the right bank of the Seine:
some kind of ancient laguna, with dunes
(la Grève!), fens and swampland. On the left side: humid grassland, some
hills with vineyards and a real mountain ("montagne" Sainte-Geneviève). Two
shaky bridges over the Seine, wooden, often destroyed or damaged, therefore
replaced by boat ferries. The ancient Roman cardo: partially destroyed,
lacking plates , impossible to go for wheeled wagons. Catering of *every*
kind of meat, cereals, wool, fruits, wine etc.: Mainly - if not
exclusively - organized by boats and barges (wine from Ivry etc). But: The
flat and sandy banks impeded or prohibited any debarkation by wheeled carts.
Just a glimpse on this painting from 1600: http://www.abaelard.de/paris.jpg
.
All together, I think there was *not much traffic on wheels* in early
medieval Paris (dangerous downhill or on swampy ground and burdensome
uphill). In the "vici = lanes of the city itself: perhaps some handcarts,
but no larger vehicles. So "fercula= biers with handles" might have been a
*quite commom, useful and widespread mean for transport from the boats to
the higher level*, to the lanes, to the cloister etc. This specific local
tradition of a riverside instrument might have been later institutionalized
for religious custom = "stationes". On thinking about the topography of
Chartres and other country towns, I concluded that the situation must have
been *totally different* there...
But I confess: This is rather speculative.
Best, Werner
Finally, here is a painting of the Hotel-Dieu, having burned down in 1172.
With good will and enthousiasm, you can imagine a former "statio ferculorum"
(which was probably a simple bench, in reality):
http://www.abaelard.de/hotel.jpg I hope the links work. If not, let me
know!
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