MARSUPIUM (marsupion, balantion), a purse (Non. Marcellus, s.v.; Varro, de Re Rust. ii.17; Plaut. Men. ii.1.29, ii.3, 33, 35, v.7.47, Poen. iii.5.37, Rud. v.2.26; Xen. Conviv. iv.2).

The purse used by the ancients was commonly a small leathern bag, and was often closed by being drawn together at the mouth (suspasta balantia, Plat. Conviv. p404, ed. Bekker). Mercury is commonly represented holding one in his hand.

William Smith, A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (London: John Murray, 1875), p 732.