‘Eros’ as a force of physical desire dates back at least as far as the works of Homer, but the concept of Eros quickly became more refined, being to the classical Greeks a personified deity of exceptional beauty and playfulness. His depiction on this pottery lamp, seen pulling on the horns of a goat, is indeed testament to his cheeky character. Eros’ tricks were typically played on lovers, using his arrows to manipulate romantic situations, and to punish those who resisted his efforts.
For more information about the meanings of animals in Roman art, see our relevant blog post: Animal Symbolism in Roman Art.