Oil Lamp, mould made, Roman, Gladiator motif
Production date
Circa 1st Century CE
Country
Cyprus
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Object detail
Description
Lamp, mould made. Circular body with high shoulder and deep moulded discus. Triangular-ended nozzle with pronounced volutes. Slightly raised flat base set off by groove. One to two incised grooves on rim, two more demarcating rim and discus. On discus a hoplomachus (in the guise of a Greek hoplite warrior) appealing for mercy, to left, with legs apart and right arm outstretched. He wares a crested and tasselled helmet, greaves (cnemides), belted breech cloth (subligaculum) and protective gauntlet (manicae) on the left arm and carries a small square shield and perhaps a dagger (sica) in the left hand. Fill-hole below the right hand. On base a four-letter maker’s mark (illegible) in planta pedis above an anchor or cursive T shaped mould mark in low relief. Buff brown clay covered with brick red to orange and dark brown glaze. No sign of use. Knife paired at shoulder (Webb, Jennifer M., "Corpus of Cypriote Antiquities", Studies in Mediterranean Archaeology, Vol. XX: p. 14). The gladiator is holding his head high, with his sword raised possibly indicating victory in his contest.
Classification
LIGHTING Kerosene & Oil oil lamp
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
ARCHAEOLOGY Cypriot
Production date
Circa 1st Century CE
Production place
Measurements
L105mm x W78mm x D32mm
Media/Materials description
Pottery, buff brown clay covered with brick red to orange and dark brown glaze.
Signature/Marks
Makers mark
Incised
Decoration
Incised
Decoration
History and use
The need to extend daylight hours has always been with us. Before the advent of electricity, allowing a space to be illuminated with the simple flick of a switch, light was achieved by the use of a candle or a lamp. Artificial lighting via candles and lamps was widespread through the ancient world. Lamps were utilised in private and public buildings, in temples and sanctuaries, in street lighting and in ceremonies.
This lamp was made in the 1st Century AD, the same century that the Colosseum was inaugerated. On the top of the lamp, a hoplomachus (a type of gladiator) is presented with his legs apart and right arm outstretched. He wares a crested and tasselled helmet, greaves (cnemides), belted breech cloth (subligaculum) and protective gauntlet (manicae) on the left arm and carries a small square shield and perhaps a dagger (sica) in the left hand.
The word gladiator means 'warrior who fights using a gladius' - a type of roman short sword. Gladiators were often slaves captured during Roman military campaigns, and they fought using their own traditional weapons and armour.Winning gladiators would recieve money, a crown of victory or freedom.
This lamp was made in Italy and was imported to Cyprus. The base of the lamp contains a makers mark - a 'planta pedis' with an anchor and raised letters inside a foot.
This lamp was made in the 1st Century AD, the same century that the Colosseum was inaugerated. On the top of the lamp, a hoplomachus (a type of gladiator) is presented with his legs apart and right arm outstretched. He wares a crested and tasselled helmet, greaves (cnemides), belted breech cloth (subligaculum) and protective gauntlet (manicae) on the left arm and carries a small square shield and perhaps a dagger (sica) in the left hand.
The word gladiator means 'warrior who fights using a gladius' - a type of roman short sword. Gladiators were often slaves captured during Roman military campaigns, and they fought using their own traditional weapons and armour.Winning gladiators would recieve money, a crown of victory or freedom.
This lamp was made in Italy and was imported to Cyprus. The base of the lamp contains a makers mark - a 'planta pedis' with an anchor and raised letters inside a foot.
Associated person
Registration number
H635
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