Religion Past and Present

Get access
Search Results: | 3 of 38 |

Ampulla
(281 words)

[German Version]

(Gk εὐλογία/eulogía, blessing). In the early Christian era ampullas were well known as pilgrimage-related mementos. They are small receptacles made of metal (alloyed lead-pewter), earthenware or glass, generally in the shape of a round, low canteen with two handles. At times they were used to carry water but mostly oil from sacred places in the Near East. Such oil had come into contact with relics, had been specially blessed or even taken from hanging lamps. The depictions on the flat sides of earthen examples show a saint (e.g. Menas; Thecla; Demetrius, an equestrian…

Cite this page
Koch, Guntram, “Ampulla”, in: Religion Past and Present. Consulted online on 19 March 2024 <http://dx.doi.org/10.1163/1877-5888_rpp_SIM_00609>
First published online: 2011
First print edition: ISBN: 9789004146662, 2006-2013



▲   Back to top   ▲