USEFUL LINKS:
“The ancient sources (including Isidore) that during the time of the Republic it was placed above a geminate consonant to indicate that the consonant counted twice, although there is hardly any epigraphic and paleographic evidence available from such an early time. When such geminate consonants began to be represented during classical times by writing the letter twice, the sicilicus naturally fell into disuse in this function, but continued to be used to indicate the doubling of vowels as an indication of length in the developed form of the apex. It has been suggested that Plautus alludes to the sicilicus in the prologue to Menaechmi.” – Wikivisually.
Revilo P. Oliver, ‘Apex and Sicilicus’, The American Journal of Philology, Vol. 87, No. 2 (Apr., 1966), pp. 129-170.
The ornaments
header inset and element in the composite – from Brit.Lib. Royal MS 20B IV f.70
band – artificial. composed from elements in Brit Lib MS Add 15603.
The Illustrated Isidore 