"TABLE" AMPHORAE VS. "TABLE" PITCHER IN THE ROMAN DOBRUDJA

Andrei Opait

These two containers are quite commonly found in the levels dated to the first three centuries AD. Both have quite a similar capacity, but there are some notable morphological differences. Table amphorae have a more ovoid body, while the pitchers are in the form of a truncated cone; the former always has two handles, the latter only one; the former has a large circular base, the latter has a conical base and truncated foot.

The former seems to be more frequently found in the northern and western area of the province, the latter seems to be more "at home" in the Greek cities, namely in the eastern part of the province, and also in the Greek colonies of the northern coast of the Black Sea. From this rivalry, the former container seems to be the winner, as it is frequently found during the late Roman period and early Byzantine in the province of Scythia. The latter container seems to become obsolete at the end of the 3rd c. and beginning of the 4th c. AD, even if sometimes the local potters made efforts to improve its design, rounding its shoulders, as was the case with a "table" pitcher discovered at Histria.

These two recipients represent an interesting exemplification of product competition on the ceramic market.

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