ACCLAMATION, a confused noise or shout, by which the public express their opinion or applause of any thing. In a more restricted sense, it denotes a certain formula of words, uttered with extraordinary ye hemence, and in a peculiar chanting tone, frequent in the ancient assemblies.
Acclamations were generally accompanied with ap plauses ; from which, however, they ought to be distin guished, applause being given by the hands, and bestowed only on persons that were present; acclama tion, by the voice, and on those also who were absent. Acclamation was sometimes given, by women, but ap plause seems to have been confined to men. Acclama tions are of different kinds ; nuptial, scholastic, theatrical, military, senatorial, and ecclesiastical.
The formulsc, or expressions used in acclamation, were of various kinds, corresponding to the occasion on which they were employed, though as will be im mediately noticed, the same forms were frequently used, even when the subjects to which they related were dis similar. Indeed, being mere. ly general expressions of joy and respect, or of reproach and contumely, it is naturally to be expected, that they will resemble one another.
Acclamations were an essential part of the nuptial ceremony, both among the Greeks and the Romans. Thus epithalansian songs, both on the evening of the marriage and the morning after, may be regarded in this light ; for in these the praises of the bridegroom and bride were celebrated, and fervent wishes for their happiness expressed. The Roman formula was, in general, or lo Hymen. These were the licta omina, mentioned by Sbneca, (In Octar. iv. 1. 704.) with which the citizens hailed the nuptials of Nero and Pop pxa.
The scholastic acclamations are those which were bestowed on authors, who recited their works, either in the public assemblies, or the more private academies ; and their admirers were careful that they should be con ferred in the most solemn and respectful manner. In vitations were sent, and presents sometimes given, to procure them ; nor was it uncommon for men of fortune to keep able applauders in their service, and lend them to their friends. These acclamations were frequently accompanied with music ; and the formulx were varied according to the character of the author, and the nature of his compositions. One of the most usual forms was or, perhaps ToOreg, Ivisay, repeated three times ; (1Tartial, i. 4, &c.) and sometimes i,rrEepvc;;;, i. C. .s.upra
qztanz dici Masi.% The same author (ii. 27. 3.) compre hends several other customary forms in this verse : "Effecte, gran ter, cito, nequiter, Euge, Beate." The acclamations of the theatre, simple and artless during the first ages of the Roman commonwealth, w ere gradually changed, from confused and tumultuous shouts, into a sort of regular concerts. In this form they ex isted during the reign of Augustus, but were still more highly improved by Nero, who himself played on the stage, and gave the signal to the haocl of acclaimers, which on one occasion consisted of five thousand sol diers, called ?igustals, who immediately began to chant his praise, and the spectators were obliged to repeat them. The responses were conducted by a music master, called itL rochorus, or Pausarins. At the public festivals and games, as well as in the theatres, accla mations were given not only to the emperors, their children, favourites, and the magistrate s who presided, but to others of distinguished literary or civil merit, to the actors, and to those who carried off the prizes. The most common formula were Longiorrin vitam, f•liciter. Those uith which the victories of the Athletx were honoured, were loud and extravagant, ac companied with violent gestures, expressing sometimes compassion and joy, sometimes horror and disgust.
Military acclamations were employed by the Romans at the election of their commanders, when the soldiers exclainied, Dii to screen! imperator ; and when about to engage the enemy, they cried out Victoria.(Cxsar,de Bell. Gall. v. 56.) The Greeks also began their battles with a general shout, called imaxetyptoc, from the soldiers repeating the word &wit, and, according to Suidas, some times 0,0,Ete. This custom indeed was general among all ancient nations, and still exists in many parts of the world. When a war was finished, or the enemy com pletely routed, the victorious army expressed their jay, by pronouncing aloud the name or their commander ; and after their return, their acclamations were increased, and re-echoed by the citizens, whilst they marched in procession to deposit the spoils in the capital. The city resounded with the cry of Salve imperator, Vestra sales, Nostra sales, or In triumfthe. So Horace, in ad dressing Anton. lulus, says : "'Fugue dun) procedis, To triumplie, Non seine' dicernus, to Civitas omnis."—Ou H. lib. iv. 49.