Follis 2

vol. VI p.2829

2) Follis

The largest common Roman ball (pila, paganica, follis), Martial. XIV 45. The game which used it was seen as being less strenuous than those with the other balls, so it was suitable for boys and older men, Martial. XIV 47. According to Martial. IV 19, 7, it was stuffed with feathers. <50> It's uncertain whether follis and folliculus (Suet. Aug. 83; τὸ πούλικλον Athen. I 14 F) are the same. According to Athen. loc. cit., the folliculus was invented for the use of Pompey the Great.

[Mau.]

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