Lituus

For a mathematical function, see Lituus (mathematics).

A lituus (reverse, right, over the patera) as cult instrument, in this coin celebrating the pietas of the Roman Emperor Herennius Etruscus.

The word lituus originally meant a curved augural staff (cp. "crozier") or a curved war-trumpet in the ancient Latin language. In English it is used with several meanings.

Roman ritual wand

The lituus was a crooked wand (similar in shape to the top part of a crosier) used as a cult instrument in ancient Roman religion by augurs to mark out a ritual space in the sky (a templum). The passage of birds through this templum indicated divine favor or disfavor for a given undertaking.

The lituus was also used as a symbol of office for the college of the augurs to mark them out as a priestly group.

Music instrument

Ancient lituus

The ancient lituus was an old Etruscan high-pitched brass instrument, which was bent at the end, similar to the Gallic carnyx. It was later used by the Romans, especially for processional music and as a signalling horn in the army. In 17th century Germany a variant of the bent ancient lituus was still used as a signalling horn by nightwatchmen.

Mediaeval lituus

Main article: Medieval lituus

The mediaeval lituus was a different brass instrument than the ancient Etruscan instrument, described by Kürzinger (1763) as a variant of the early trumpet or horn, i.e. a later development of the ancient Roman tuba. One of the last compositions orchestrated for the mediaeval lituus was Bach's motet O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht (BWV 118). Scientists from Edinburgh University tried to recreate the lituus in May 2009, when the instrument had been out of use for 300 years.