Falx ueruculata e falcicula tubulata: due facce della stessa medaglia (a proposito di Colum. 2,20,3 e Pallad. 1,42,3)

The paper analyses two denominations of cutting implements in Latin agronomical texts. The first is falx ueruculata, which occurs in Columella (2,20,3), who also says that it could be of two types: denticulata or, according the current editions, rostrata. As Poplin 2013 correctly stated, the falx ueruculata is a sickle with a tanged attachment. It could have a serrated (falx ueruculata denticulata) or a smooth blade. If we assume that Columella is concerned about this second type of sickle as an alternative to the serrated one, we cannot accept the reading of some fifteenth-century manuscripts, rostratis, but we should only take into account nostratibus (i. e. ‘local’ [sickles]) of the best witnesses (SAR). The second cutting implement discussed here is the falcicula breuissima tubulata mentioned by Palladius (1,42,3). It is clearly a bill-hook (or a pruning-hook) with a socketed attachment, as much archaeological evidence proves.