SĬTŬLA

dim. SĬTELLA ( ὑδρία ), was probably a bucket or pail for drawing and carrying water, but was more usually applied to the ve el from which lots were drawn. The diminutive sitella , however, was more commonly used in this signification. It appears that the ve el was filled with water (as among the Greeks, whence the word ὑδρία ), and that the lots ( sortes ) were made of wood; and as, though increasing in size below, it had a narrow neck, only one lot could come to the top of the water at the same time, when it was shaken. The ve el used for drawing lots was also called urn a or orca as well as Situla or Sitella . It is important to understand the difference in meaning, between Sitella and Cista, in their use in the comitia and courts of justice, since they have been frequently confounded. The Sitella was the urn, from which the names of the tribes or centuries were drawn out by lot, so that each might have its proper place in voting, and the Cista was the ballot-box into which the tabellae were cast in voting. The Cista seems to have been made of wicker or similar work. IMG:6459379820872971714_ill345a.jpg: Cista. Sitella.