Funalis

Funalis a link or taper, used in the same manner as a torch [FAX], but made of papyrus and other fibrous plants, twisted like a rope, and smeared with pitch and wax. It was indeed, as Antipater describes it, a light coated with wax (λαμπὰς κηροχίτων, Brunck, Anal. 2.112 = Anth. Pal. 6.249). Cereus is both adjective and substantive, and either an epithet or a synonym of funalis: funalem cereum, V. Max. 3.6.4; delectabatur cereo (old edd. crebro) [funali] et tibicine, Cic. de Sen. 13.44, where funali is bracketed, perhaps unnecessarily, as a gloss on cereo (Reid); cereus subst., Plaut. Curc. 1.1, 9; Cic. de Off. 3.2. 0, § 80; Senec. de Brev. Vit. extr.; Epist. 122.10; Mart. 5.18, 14.42; Macrob Sat. 1.7.33. Funales are sculptured upon an ancient sepulchral marble preserved in the church of Santa Giustina at Padua (Pignor. de Servis, p. 259) and figured by Rich (s. v. Funale ). At the Saturnalia they were presented by clients to their superiors, and were lighted in honour of Saturn (Antipater, l.c.; Macrob. l.c.), sometimes on other occasions (Cic. de Off. l.c.). Compare the preceding article.

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