sĭmŭlācrum, i, n. [simulo], an image formed in the likeness of a thing, a likeness, image, form, representation, semblance (class.; syn.: imago, effigies, signum).
I Lit., of images formed by art, reflected in a mirror, or seen in a dream; of apparitions, visions, etc. (the latter mostly poet. and in post-Aug. prose).
A Of images formed by art, esp. of statues of the gods, an image , figure , portrait , effigy , statue , etc.: alicujus effigiem simulacrumque servare, Cic. Verr. 2, 2, 65, § 159; cf.: statuas et imagines, non animorum simulacra sed corporum ... relinquere, id. Arch. 12, 30: Helenae se pingere simulacrum velle dixit (Zeuxis), id. Inv. 2, 1, 1; cf. id. Fam. 5, 12, 7: delubra magnifica humanis consecrata simulacris, id. Rep. 3, 9, 14; but cf.: simulacrum deae non effigie humanā, Tac. H. 2, 3: deorum simulacra sanctissima, Cic. Div. in Caecil. 1, 3; so of the images of the gods, id. Verr. 2, 5, 72, § 185; Caes. B. G. 6, 16; 6, 17; id. B. C. 2, 5; 3, 105; Tac. H. 2, 3; id. A. 12, 22 al.: tueri aras simulacraque divom, Lucr. 5, 75; 5, 308: et bene facta deum frangit simulacra, id. 6, 419; Verg. A. 2, 172; Ov. M. 10, 694; 15, 658 al.; cf.: Herculis simulacrum, Liv. 9, 44 fin. : simulacra oppidorum, Cic. Pis. 25, 60; cf. pugnarum, Liv. 41, 28, 10: Balbum in triumpho omnium gentium urbiumque nomina ac simulacra duxisse, Plin. 5, 5, 5, § 36; cf. also: simulacrum celebrati diei pingere, Liv. 24, 16 fin. : montium, fluviorum, Tac. A. 2, 41.— Poet., of the Trojan horse, Verg. A. 2, 232 (for which, effigies, id. ib. 2, 184).—
b Adverb.: ad or per simulacrum (like ad similitudinem, formam), in the form of , after the pattern of : aurata aedes ad simulacrum templi Veneris collocata, Suet. Caes. 84: ad simulacrum ignium ardens Pharus, id. Flor. 4, 2, 88 (2, 13 PHI); cf.: ad simulacrum caelestium siderum, id. ib. 1, 2, 3 (1, 1 PHI): digiti per litterarum simulacra ducuntur, Sen. Ep. 94, 51.—
B An image , form , shade , phantom seen in a mirror, in a dream, etc.; analogous to the Gr. εἴδωλον: quaecunque apparent nobis simulacra, Lucr. 4, 99; cf.: per aquas, quae nunc rerum simulacra videmus, id. 1, 1060: quid frustra simulacra fugacia (in aquā visa) captas? Ov. M. 3, 432. —Of the shades or ghosts of the departed: quaedam simulacra modis pallentia miris, Lucr. 1, 123 (cf. Verg. G. 1, 477 infra); cf.: est via declivis (in Tartarum) ... umbrae recentes Descendunt illac simulacraque functa sepulcris, Ov. M. 4, 435; so id. ib. 10, 14: simulacra cara parentis, id. ib. 14, 112; cf. Verg. A. 2, 772: ut bibere in somnis sitiens cum quaerit ... laticum simulacra petit, etc., Lucr. 4, 1099; cf.: (canes) Expergefacti secuntur inania saepe Cervorum simulacra, id. 4, 995: simulacra inania somni, Ov. H. 9, 39: vana (noctis), id. Am. 1, 6, 9: simulacra modis pallentia miris Visa sub obscurum noctis, Verg. G. 1, 477; Sil. 3, 650 al.; cf.: ne vacua mens audita simulacra et inanes sibi metus fingeret, Plin. Ep. 7, 27, 7.—
2 In the philosoph. lang. of Lucret. (like the Gr. εἴδωλον and the Lat. spectrum), the form or image of an object of sense or thought presented to the mind; a representation , idea , conception , Lucr. 2, 112; 4, 130; 4, 149 sq.—
3 Of mnemonic signs , types , or emblems : ut res ipsas rerum effigies notaret atque ut locis pro cerā, simulacris pro litteris uteremur, Cic. de Or. 2, 86, 354.—
4 A description , a portraiture of character: non inseram simulacrum viri copiosi (Catonis), quae dixerit referendo, Liv. 45, 25.—
5 A likeness or similitude : diu disputavi, Hominem quojus rei Similem esse arbitrarer simulacrumque habere: Id repperi jam exemplum, etc., Plaut. Most. 1, 2, 6.—
II In partic., with the predominant idea of mere imitation (opp. to that which is original or real), a shadow , semblance , appearance , etc.: simulacrum aliquod ac vestigium civitatis, Cic. Fam. 10, 1, 1; cf.: simulacra virtutis, id. Off. 1, 15, 46; and: haec simulacra sunt auspiciorum, auspicia nullo modo, id. Div. 2, 33, 71: libertatis, Tac. A. 1, 77: belli simulacra cientes, i.e. mock-fights , sham-fights , Lucr. 2, 41; 2, 324: pugnaeque cient simulacra sub armis, Verg. A. 5, 585; 5, 674; Sil. 16, 529; 7, 119; cf.: simulacrum navalis pugnae, Liv. 26, 51, 6; 35, 26, 2: quibusdam pugnae simulacris ad verum discrimen aciemque justam consuescimus, Quint. 2, 10, 8; so, ludicrum pugnae, Liv. 40, 9: decurrentis exercitūs, id. 44, 9: vindemiae, Tac. A. 11, 31: civilitatis particulae, Quint. 2, 15, 25: inania, id. 10, 5, 17.