Lo strigile di Ippia (Apul. flor. 9, 22-23)

In Florida 9, 16-24 Apuleius dwells on the sophist Hippias, who boasted of having made all the clothes and objects he wore. Among these there were also an oil flask and a small strigil, for which Apuleius reserves a refined description (9, 22-23) characterized by the use of rare terms. The present paper offers a translation and a commentary on the passage in question. In particular, the need to accept Helm’s conjecture cymulae (F transmits cylaulae) is highlighted. In this case, the diminutive cymula would designate the handle of the strigil, which, as can also be seen from some archaeological finds of the I-II century A. D., would have had a straight and tapered stem shape (recta fastigatione). The tapering was probably intended to ensure the grip of the instrument during use with greasy hands.