ῥάβδος, ἡ,
rod, wand, [[ 8th c.BC: Homerus Epicus (see. below), etc.] Refs 8th c.BC+]; lighter than the βακτηρία or walking-stick, [[ 5th-6th c.BC: Xenophon Historicus “de Equitandi ratione” 11.4 (but ={βακτηρία}, NT.Matt.10.10, +others). —Special uses: ] NT+5th c.BC+]
__1 magic wand, as that of Circe, [[ 8th c.BC: Odyssea Homerus Epicus “Odyssey” 10.238, 319, etc.] Refs 8th c.BC+]; that with which Athena touched Odysseus, to restore his youthful appearance, χρυσείῃ ῥάβδῳ ἐπεμάσσατο [[ 16.172 ] Refs]; that with which Hermes overpowers the senses of man, [[ 8th c.BC: Ilias Homerus Epicus “Illiad” 24.343 ] Refs 8th c.BC+]; that with which Hades rules the ghosts, [[ 5th c.BC: Pindarus Lyricus “O.” 9.33 ] Refs 5th c.BC+]; divining-rod, [[ 5th c.BC: Herodotus Historicus 4.67. ] Refs 5th c.BC+]
__2 fishing-rod, [[ 8th c.BC: Odyssea Homerus Epicus “Odyssey” 12.251. ] Refs 8th c.BC+]
__3 limed twig, for catching small birds, [[ 5th-6th c.BC: Aristophanes Comicus “Aves” 527. ] Refs 5th c.BC+]
__4 shaft of a hunting-spear, [[ 5th-6th c.BC: Xenophon Historicus “Cynegeticus” 10.3, 16. ] Refs 5th c.BC+]
__5 staff of office, like the earlier σκῆπτρον, [[ 5th-6th c.BC: Plato Philosophus “Axiochus” 367a, LXX.Psa.44(45).7, 109(110).2 ] LXX+5th c.BC+]; carried by a βραβευτής, [[ 1st c.BC: Philodemus Philosophus “περὶ κακιῶν ί” p.25J.:— uncertain in 4th-5th c.BC: Aeschylus Tragicus “Supplices” 248 for ῥαβδοῦχος. ] Refs 4th c.BC+]