Oil lamps, or a lychnus, from the Greek λυχνος, were commonplace throughout the Roman Empire, and were used for domestic, public, and religious purposes. These included funeral ceremonies, lighting up businesses, and creating ‘special effects’ at the theatre. The oldest Roman lamps date back to the third century BC, and it is thought that they were influenced by the Southern Italic style. These were more enclosed than their predecessors, allowing for further decoration on the discus. 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.
Along with linear, geometric and circular designs, favourite subjects 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, fish and birds. Birds were a common decorative theme across the Roman Empire. In Roman religion, where the Greeks had oracles, birds could reveal the will of the gods, and their flight, number, and behaviours were observed by augeres as omens, called auspicia.
To discover more about the ancient origins of oil lamps, visit our relevant post: Oil Lamps in Antiquity.
