Object Description
A fine Roman terracotta oil lamp featuring a large decorated discus and angular volute nozzle. The scene upon the discus depicts two gladiators in combat, the scene elegantly composed to fill the whole of the circular space. The gladiator to the left is depicted wearing a loincloth and holding a three-pronged trident in one hand and a net in the other. His attire and weaponry mark him as a ‘Retiarius’, a type of gladiator styled as a fisherman. His opponent on the right is more heavily armoured, carrying a large, rectangular shield and wearing a helmet. Most likely this figure is a ‘Secutor’, who ‘Retiarii’ were often pitted against. In contrast to the lightly garbed fishermen, the ‘Secutor’ was heavily armoured. There is a linear ridge marking the ground the gladiators fight on and underneath is a large ‘tabula ansata’ (a tablet with handles). Within are two rows of text which are unclear but would usually be the name of each fighter. The discus is enclosed by three concentric circles, leaving a plain and narrow shoulder. The filling hole can be found to the centre of the discuss. This lamp belongs to the Loeschcke type Ic, which is characterised by its lack of a handle, circular body, and wide angular nozzle flanked by two volutes. The reverse is undecorated and a double incised ring is used for the base.
Date: Circa 1st Century AD