Oil Flasks
“There are two liquids that are especially agreeable to the human body, wine inside and oil outside….”
(Pliny, Natural History XIV.150)
During the mid-afternoon, most Romans would wend their way to one of the city’s public baths (thermae),
there to exercise and socialize with friends and business clients. Bathing itself—a progession through a
sauna area (sudatorium) to a cool swimming pool (frigidarium)—culminated in a massage room, the walls of
which were lined with glass flasks containing all kinds of heavily perfumed oils.
All glassware is shown at a scale of one-to-one unless otherwise stated. |
Oil flask with bronze handles
86-35-89 |
