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. During the Roman Empire, it became commonplace to use lamps in funeral ceremonies and for public purposes. The vast trade networks set with the expansion of the Roman Empire allowed this item to be spread across Europe, Eastern Asia and Northern Africa, which led to the development of several provincial variations.
Deities were frequently represented on Roman lamps. They include not only the gods of the Greco-Roman pantheon but also different cult figures. The motif of Nike holding a shield (often inscribed with the phrase “(Wishing) me a happy and fortunate new year”) was common on new year’s gifts or mementoes to mark a celebration.
To discover more about oil lamps in Antiquity, please visit our relevant blog post: Lighting The Way.