The Roman oil lamp, a product almost unparalleled in its distribution throughout the Roman Empire, developed towards the end of the Greek Hellenistic period and was to keep its general shape longer than any other item of pottery throughout the Mediterranean. The vast trade networks set up with the expansion of the Roman empire allowed for this item to be spread across Europe, Eastern Asia and Northern Africa. Favourite subject for decoration of oil lamps included gods and mythological scenes, scenes from everyday life, gladiatorial depictions, drawings relating to entertainment and theatre, and various animals, such as fish and birds. This lamp is probably an import, and is of unusual type – may be related to the so-called “ear lamps” that were produced in Asia Minor and Athens.
To discover more about oil lamps in Antiquity, please visit our relevant blog post: Lighting The Way.
