1. A wooden structure, of considerable height, used in sieges, from which
missiles were thrown (Fest. p. 88, 12; Ennius, ap. Non. p. 114, 7).
are mentioned by Juvenal (6.590) along with the columnae delphinorum
in the circus. Hence they are
supposed by some writers to be columns on the spina
of the circus, supporting the ova,
as similar columns supported the dolphins. [See CIRCUS
p. 434 b,
and the cut on p. 435.] But Servius (ad
Verg. A. 9.705
) says they were towers on
which fights took place, erected between the euripus and the metae; and they
were probably movable towers used in the sham fights of the Circus.