Lewis & Short

cătasta, ae, f. [κατάστασις] (postAug.), a scaffold, stage,

  1. I. On which slaves were exposed for sale, Tib. 2, 3, 60; Pers. 6, 77 Schol.; Plin. 35, 18, 58, § 200; Suet. Gram. 13; Stat. S. 2, 1, 72.
  2. II. For the public burning (of criminals, martyrs, etc.), Prud. στεφ. 1, 56; 2, 399 al.
  3. III. For delivering a lecture, Rutil. 1, 393; Cypr. Ep. 28.