Roman Amphorae: a digital resource
University of Southampton, 2005. (updated 2014) https://doi.org/10.5284/1028192. How to cite using this DOI
Data copyright © University of Southampton unless otherwise stated
This work is licensed under the ADS Terms of Use and Access.
Primary contact
Dr
David
Williams
Dept of Archaeology
University of Southampton
Avenue Campus
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
England
Tel: 080 593032
Resource identifiers
- ADS Collection: 463
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1028192
- How to cite using this DOI
Opaiţ C1
details | characteristics | pictures | drawings | petrology | specimens | bibliography | 
3D models
Distinctive FeaturesThis type could easily be mistaken for the Dressel 6B (even the fabric is similar), though the rim is much less pronounced. The rim is thick and rounded, set on a cylindrical neck. The body gradually widens from the top downwards (bag shaped) before curving inwards and ending in a very short spike that is little more than a point. The handles are short and curved, attached on the shoulder and below the rim.The earliest subtype probably can be identified with an amphora discovered at Anemurium. It has a height of 94.2 cm, a maximum diameter of 33.5-34.5 cm, and a rim diameter of 13.0-13.5 cm (Hayes, 1991: 91, No.17, Pl. 24.1). In spite of these massive dimensions, the amphora has a slender, elegant profile. The next subtype occurs at Torone, its body being only half wheel-ridged, and dated perhaps around the middle or the second half of the fourth century (Papadopoulos, 1989: 98-100, Fig.17). The dimensions of this amphora are almost half of the earlier subtype, having a height of 58 cm, a maximum diameter of 27.8 cm, and a rim diameter of 7.8 cm. It is not impossible that this amphora was a reduced-sized version. A second subtype occurs in the fifth century.This has been discovered at Dinogetia amongst other places. It has a preserved height of 74 cm, a maximum diameter of 40 cm and a rim diameter of 13 cm; probably its body ends in a in the usual spike of this type. See characteristics | ||
Date RangeThe Topraichioi examples date from the first half of the fifth century; the early variant from Torone to the mid or later fourth.Search: [4th century AD] [5th century AD] | ||
OriginA bronze amphora with a height of 55 cm has been discovered at Ballana (Emery & Kirwan, 1938: 355, Pl. 93 C, room 1 of tomb 95). This amphora has also caught Hautumm’s attention, but he considered it a bronze imitation of a north African amphora (Hautumm, 1981: 104). The widening of the lower part of the body, the tall neck and the handles that are not too close to the neck, does not seem to indicate a north African origin, but rather an Aegean one. | ||
DistributionThe earliest example was discovered at Anemurium. A later subtype was found at Torone. A second subtype occurs at Topraichioi during the first half of the fifth century AD (Opaiţ, 1991c: 216, Pl.17/2-6). It was also uncovered at Murighiol (Opaiţ, 1991b: 144, Pl.16/93; Topoleanu, 2000: 143, Pl. 45/365), Dinogetia (Al. Barnea, personal communication), Iatrus (Böttger, 1982: 43, type 1-3, Pl.19/112), and Marseille (Bonifay & Villedieu, 1989: 36, Figs.14,16,17).Search: [Black Sea] [Cyprus] [Eastern Mediterranean] [France] [North West Europe] | ||
ContentsTraces of pitch on the inside of vessels suggest wine as a possible content (Opaiţ, 1996: 210).The capacity of the Dinogetia amphora is c. 52 litres, while the amphora from Torone is c. 17 litres. | ||
CommentsPrincipal contributor: Andrei Opaiţ | ||
ClassificationTorone 7 | ||
