In Antiquity, a lamp was originally called a ‘lychnus‘, from the Greek ‘λυχνος’, with the oldest Roman lamps dating back to the third century BC. It is thought that the Romans took the idea for lamps from the Greek colonies of Southern Italy. During the Roman Empire, it became commonplace to use lamps in funeral ceremonies and for public purposes. Over time, the manufacture of lamps increased, and so did the variation in decoration, which depended mainly on the shape and size of the lamp. Common decorative themes depicted on the discus were entertainment scenes (such as gladiators in combat), common myths, and animals. Pottery oil lamps could be made in three different ways: handmade, wheel made, or by mould. The use of the mould (which was made from clay or plaster) quickly became popular, because one mould could produce several lamps.
Erotic scenes were an exceedingly popular depiction on oil lamps, making up the largest repertoire. Scenes such as this, with the female depicted on top of her male companion were common, along with a variety of other heterosexual scenes. Another common depiction shows the male companion kneeling, lifting the woman’s leg as she lies on her back. Most scenes are heterosexual in nature, but some lamps also depict homosexual interaction and scenarios between dwarf entertainers and women.
To discover more about oil lamps in Antiquity, please visit our relevant blog post: Lighting The Way.
