Roman Amphorae: a digital resource

University of Southampton, 2005 (updated 2014)

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Digital Object Identifiers

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https://doi.org/10.5284/1028192
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University of Southampton (2014) Roman Amphorae: a digital resource [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor] https://doi.org/10.5284/1028192

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Spatheion 3

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details | characteristics | pictures | drawings | petrology | specimens | bibliography

Distinctive Features

The third sub-type of the so-called "Spatheia" African amphorae refers to a group of very small sized amphorae (not over 50cm, mostly 45cm high), often referred to as "miniature spatheia". (Bonifay, 2004). Bonifay has divided the form into four variants (2004). :
- A: Quite wide and tall "miniature Spatheion" (up to 13cm wide and about 50cm high), with a triangular section rim and a pronounced groove on the outer face. The upper section of the handles are applied directly under the lip. There is a short cone-shaped solid spike.
- B: Tapered and everted triangular sectioned rim, with a double step on the outer face. There is a narrow body (8-9cm wide) which is tapered towards the base and terminated by a cone-shaped solid spike flattened on the underside. Some examples do not have handles.
-C: The rim is tall with a convex external face and a flat or concave internal face. There is a narrow body (7-8cm wide) tapered towards the base and terminated by an elongated solid spike. Some examples appear not to have handles.
-D: Tall and vertical band-shaped rim, moulded on the outer face. There is an elongated neck, usually without handles. There is a narrow body (7-9cm wide) tapered towards the base and terminated by a short solid thickened foot.
See characteristics

Date Range

From the second half of the sixth to the end of the seventh centuries AD (perhaps the beginning of the eighth century AD).
Search: [6th century AD] [7th century AD] [8th century AD]

Origin

Production of variant C is attested to in the Zeugitana region at Neapolis and variant D in the Byzacena region at Moknine (Bonifay, 2004; 2005).
Search: [Libya] [North Africa] [Tunisia]

Distribution

Fairly widespread around the Mediterranean and into the Black Sea region: the main sites are Tunisia (Nabeul, Carthage), Spain (Cartagena, Tarragona), south of France (Marseille, Saint-Gervais 2 wreck), Italy (Sant’Antonino di Perti, Rome, Naples, Ragusa, San Giusto, Castel Trosino, Ibligo-Invillino, Udine), Slovenia (Vranje), Albania (Shkodra), Greece (Chios, Samos, Gortyna), Romania (Murighiol), Bulgaria (Sadoveç), Turkey (Istanbul, Yassi Ada wreck).
Search: [Black Sea] [Eastern Mediterranean] [France] [Greece] [Greek Islands] [Italy] [North West Europe] [Spain] [The Aegean] [The Balkans] [Tunisia] [Western Asia Minor] [Western Mediterranean]

Contents

Perhaps wine (Bonifay, 2004). Capacity is between 0.5 and 3 litres.
Search: [Wine]

Comments

Principal contributor: Michel Bonifay

Classification

Keay 26