classici

classĭcus, a, um, adj. [classis], of or belonging to a classis.

I.

To a class or division of the Roman people; only transf., belonging to the first class, of the highest class: classici dicebantur non omnes qui in quinque classibus erant, sed primi tantum classis homines (opp. classem, infra), Cat. ap. Gell. 6 (7), 13, 1; cf. Paul. ex Fest. p. 113, 12:

testes classici,

id. ib. p. 56, 15.—

B.

Trop., of the highest rank, classical, superior, standard:

classicus adsiduusque aliquis scriptor, non proletarius,

Gell. 19, 8, 15.—

C.

Subst.: classĭcus, i, m., he that summons the classes of citizens to the Comitia: in Arce classicus oanat tum circumque moeros, Comment. ap. Varr. L. L. 6, § 92 Müll.—

II.

To the military and naval forces (v. infra; and cf. classis, I. B.), but in use only in the sense of or belonging to the fleet:

classicos milites,

Liv. 21, 61, 2; 26, 48, 12:

bella,

naval, Prop. 2, 1, 28:

certamen,

Vell. 2, 85, 2:

corona = navalis,

id. 2, 81, 2.—Hence,

B.

Subst.

1.

classĭcum, i, n., a field or battle-signal upon the trumpet:

classicum cecinit,

Liv. 28, 27, 15:

classicum canere jubet,

Tac. A. 2, 32; cf.:

classicum cani jubet,

Caes. B. C. 3, 82:

classico ad contionem convocat,

Liv. 7, 36, 9:

cum silentium classico fecisset,

id. 2, 45, 12:

classica sonant,

Verg. A. 7, 637:

neque excitatur classico miles truci,

Hor. Epod. 2, 5; Suet. Caes. 32; id. Vit. 11; Quint. 2, 11, 4; Luc. 4, 186 al.—

Since only the leader commanded it to be given: classicum praetorium (al. praeconium),

Prop. 3 (4), 3, 41; cf. Caes. l. l.; Liv. 28, 27, 15; Veg. Mil. 2, 22.—

2.

Meton., the war-trumpet:

necdum etiam audierant inflari classica,

Verg. G. 2, 539; Tib. 1, 1, 4. —

3.

Subst.: classĭci, ōrum, m., marines, Tac. H. 1, 36; 2, 11; 2, 17; 2, 22; 2, 67; 3, 55.—Also mariners, seamen, Curt. 4, 3, 18.