Die Münze im Lampenspiegel

Zu Vorkommen und Bedeutung des Phänomens bei römischen Grab- und Weihefunden

Abstract

The Coin in the Lamp’s Mirror. The Occurrence and Meaning of the Phenomenon in Roman Grave and Offering Finds

The present article deals with the question of the meaning of grave and offering finds of Roman lamps, in the mirrors of which coins were placed. The author has collated evidence that the coin in a lamp’s mirror, which thus more or less covered the filling hole, was to be understood as a symbol of death. Consequently, lamps with coins in the mirrors were suitable both as grave goods as well as offerings to the deities of the Underworld. In the author’s opinion a find from Sarmizegetusa may have been an offering to the goddess Domna and one from Vindonissa one to Hecate.