Cimolian earth

Cimolian earth

Cimolian Earth (Greek: κιμωλια, Latin: terra simolia), also known as "cimolite", refers to a variety of clays used widely in the ancient world.[1] These clays were used in medicine, in bleaching, and in the washing of clothes. They appear to be similar to Fuller's earth, and to Kaolin. A variety of colours of Cimolian Earth was known.

The name Cimolian earth was derived from Kimolos, an Aegean island north-east of Melos, also known as Argentiera.

The Stockholm papyrus manuscript, found in 1828 in a tomb in Thebes and dated to 3000 BC, describes a washing powder especially for wool. This powder was composed of aqueous soda solution, Cimolian Earth, dispersed in vinegar, slaked lime, fine clay, and caustic potash solution.[2]

In Greek theatre, Aristophanes (c. 445-385 BC) was the first to mention Cimolian earth. In The Frogs (c. 405 BC) it is written:

"...the earth, which is brought
from the isle of Kimolos, and wrought
with nitre and lye into soap..." [3]

Famous Roman author Pliny the Elder, in his Natural History, described two kinds of Cimolian earth, the one white, and the other "inclining to the tint of purpurissum". Both of these were employed for curing various medical conditions,

Both kinds, moistened with vinegar, have the effect of dispersing tumours and arresting defluxions. They are curative also of inflammatory swellings and imposthumes of the parotid glands; and, applied topically, they are good for affections of the spleen and pustules on the body. With the addition of aphronitrum,[4] oil of cypros, and vinegar, they reduce swellings of the feet, care being taken to apply the lotion in the sun, and at the end of six hours to wash it off with salt and water.[5]

Pliny also described the use of Cimolian earth for washing clothes.

A variety of colours were ascribed to Cimolian earth in ancient and medieval literature, most commonly white or greyish-white. It was noted that the greyish-white colour was "inclining to red, by exposure to air."[6] This indicates the presence of unoxidized iron. Also black Cimolian Earth was known, as well as that of a greenish colour.

Cimolian Earth is also mentioned in the Talmud.[7]

The use of Cimolian Earth in laundry was noted by Maimonides.[8]

References

  1. ^ Jastrow, M. Dictionary of Targumim, Talmud and Midrashic literature p. 1362
  2. ^ ECGA (European Clay Group Association) Newsletter No.5, July 2002. PDF file
  3. ^ ECGA (European Clay Group Association) Newsletter No.5, July 2002. PDF file
  4. ^ The meaning of this term is not entirely certain; it could refer to sodium carbonate, or washing soda.
  5. ^ Pliny the Elder, Natural History, 35.57, available online, accessed 11 Sept 09
  6. ^ Bartholomew Parr, The London Medical Dictionary, 1819. available online
  7. ^ Babylonian Talmud: Tractate Niddah, Folio 62a, available online, accessed 11 Sept 09
  8. ^ Yad Chazaka Hilchot Shabbat 18:8

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  • Κιμωλία — Κιμωλίᾱ , Κιμώλιος Cimolian earth fem nom/voc/acc dual Κιμωλίᾱ , Κιμώλιος Cimolian earth fem nom/voc sg (attic doric aeolic) Κιμωλίᾱ , Κιμωλία Cimolian earth fem nom/voc/acc dual Κιμωλίᾱ , Κιμωλία Cimolian earth fem nom/voc sg (attic doric… …   Greek morphological index (Ελληνική μορφολογικούς δείκτες)

  • Κιμωλίας — Κιμωλίᾱς , Κιμώλιος Cimolian earth fem acc pl Κιμωλίᾱς , Κιμώλιος Cimolian earth fem gen sg (attic doric aeolic) Κιμωλίᾱς , Κιμωλία Cimolian earth fem acc pl Κιμωλίᾱς , Κιμωλία Cimolian earth fem gen sg (attic doric aeolic) …   Greek morphological index (Ελληνική μορφολογικούς δείκτες)

  • Κιμωλίᾳ — Κιμωλίᾱͅ , Κιμώλιος Cimolian earth fem dat sg (attic doric aeolic) Κιμωλίαι , Κιμωλία Cimolian earth fem nom/voc pl Κιμωλίᾱͅ , Κιμωλία Cimolian earth fem dat sg (attic doric aeolic) …   Greek morphological index (Ελληνική μορφολογικούς δείκτες)

  • Κιμωλίαν — Κιμωλίᾱν , Κιμώλιος Cimolian earth fem acc sg (attic doric aeolic) Κιμωλίᾱν , Κιμωλία Cimolian earth fem acc sg (attic doric aeolic) …   Greek morphological index (Ελληνική μορφολογικούς δείκτες)

  • Fullo — A fullo was a Roman fuller or cloth launderer (plural: fullones ), known from many inscriptions from Italy and the western half of the Roman Empire and references in Latin literature, e.g. by Plautus, Martialis and Pliny the Elder. A fullo worked …   Wikipedia

  • Cimolite — Cim o*lite, n. [Gr. ? (sc. ?) Cimolian earth, fr. ?, L. Cimolus, an island of the Cyclades.] (Min.) A soft, earthy, clayey mineral, of whitish or grayish color. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Κιμωλίου — Κιμώλιος Cimolian earth masc/neut gen sg …   Greek morphological index (Ελληνική μορφολογικούς δείκτες)

  • Κιμώλια — Κιμώλιος Cimolian earth neut nom/voc/acc pl …   Greek morphological index (Ελληνική μορφολογικούς δείκτες)

  • Κιμώλιαι — Κιμώλιος Cimolian earth fem nom/voc pl …   Greek morphological index (Ελληνική μορφολογικούς δείκτες)

  • Κιμώλου — Κίμωλος Cimolian earth fem gen sg …   Greek morphological index (Ελληνική μορφολογικούς δείκτες)

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