Roman Amphorae: a digital resource
University of Southampton, 2005. (updated 2014) https://doi.org/10.5284/1028192. How to cite using this DOI
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- ADS Collection: 463
- DOI:https://doi.org/10.5284/1028192
- How to cite using this DOI
Spatheion 3
details | characteristics | pictures | drawings | petrology | specimens | bibliography | 
3D models
Distinctive FeaturesThe 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 RangeFrom 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] | ||
OriginProduction 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] | ||
DistributionFairly 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] | ||
ContentsPerhaps wine (Bonifay, 2004). Capacity is between 0.5 and 3 litres.Search: [Wine] | ||
CommentsPrincipal contributor: Michel Bonifay | ||
ClassificationKeay 26 | ||
