James Whitred

Mythological and heroic characters decorate oil lamps from Ashkelon. On this lamp, a charioteer urges on his steeds.

Found within a villa in a prosperous neighborhood next to the basilica discovered by Lady Hester Stanhope, this and hundreds of other eggshell-thin lamps decorated with mythological and erotic scenes bore no burn marks—an indication that the lamps had not been used or were part of a collection meant only for display.