Acerra (incense box)

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In Ancient Roman sacrificial tradition, an acerra (Greek: λιβανωτρίς) was the incense box used in sacrifices. The incense was taken out of the acerra and let fall upon the burning altar; hence, we have the expression de acerra libare. (turibulum)

The acerra was also, according to Festus (s.v.), a small altar, placed before the dead, on which perfumes were burnt. There was a law in the Twelve Tables, which restricted the use of acerrae at funerals.

[edit] References

• This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities by William Smith (1870).