CONGĬĀRĬUM (_scil. vas_, from _congius_), a vessel containing a _congius_. [CONGIUS.] In the early times of the Roman republic the _congius_ was the usual measure of oil or wine which was, on certain occasions, distributed among the people; and thus _congiarium_ became a name for liberal donations to the people, in general, whether consisting of oil, wine, corn, money, or other things, while donations made to the soldiers were called _donativa_, though they were sometimes also termed _congiaria_. Many coins of the Roman emperors were struck in commemoration of such congiaria. _Congiarium_ was, moreover, occasionally used simply to designate a present or a pension given by a person of high rank, or a prince, to his friends. [Illustration: Congiarium. (Coin of Trajan.)] CONGĬUS, a Roman liquid measure, which contained six sextarii, or the eighth part of the amphora (nearly six pints Eng.) It was equal to the larger _chous_ of the Greeks. CONNUBĬUM. [MATRIMONIUM.] CŌNŌPĒUM (κωνωπεῖον), a gnat or musquito-curtain, _i.e._ a covering made to be expanded over beds and couches to keep away gnats and other flying insects, so called from κώνωψ, a gnat. _Conopeum_ is the origin of the English word _canopy_. CONQUĪSĪTŌRES, persons employed to go about the country and impress soldiers, when there was a difficulty in completing a levy. Sometimes commissioners were appointed by a decree of the senate for the purpose of making a conquisitio. CONSANGUĬNĔI. [COGNATI.] CONSĔCRĀTĬO. [APOTHEOSIS.] CONSĬLĬUM. [CONVENTUS.] CONSUĀLĬA, a festival, with games, celebrated by the Romans, according to Ovid and others, in honour of Consus, the god of secret deliberations, or, according to Livy, of Neptunus Equestris. Some writers, however, say that Neptunus Equestris and Consus were only different names for one and the same deity. It was solemnised every year in the circus, by the symbolical ceremony of uncovering an altar dedicated to the god, which was buried in the earth. For Romulus, who was considered as the founder of the festival, was said to have discovered an altar in the earth on that spot. The solemnity took place on the 21st of August with horse and chariot races, and libations were poured into the flames which consumed the sacrifices. During these festive games horses and mules were not allowed to do any work, and were adorned with garlands of flowers. It was at their first celebration that, according to the ancient legend, the Sabine maidens were carried off.