CMNH 4304
Seleucia, Iraq
Parthian, 1st - 2nd century CE
This lamp was uncovered during a series of excavations by the University of Michigan in the early 1930’s. Under the direction of Dr. Leroy Watermann, the project explored the ancient metropolis of Seleucia in modern day Iraq. Seleucus I Nicator, successor to Alexander the Great and founder of the Seleucid Empire, constructed this capital city in 305 BCE upon the Tigris River. The city was conquered in 141 BCE by the Parthian Empire, which competed with Rome for control of the area over several centuries. Oil lamps were one of the few sources of artificial lighting in the ancient world.
To learn more:
Fowlkes-Childs, Blair. “The Parthian Empire (247 B.C.–224 A.D.).” http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/part/hd_part.htm
Department of Ancient Near Eastern Art. “The Seleucid Empire (323–64 B.C.).” http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/sleu/hd_sleu.htm
Image by Jacob Kordeleski, CMNH Dept of Archaeology // Hawken School
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