Glass jug 1 - 50

This glass jug was made in the Eastern Roman Empire, sometime in the first century, by a glassblower named Ennion. Ennion was one of the most well known glassmakers of his time. We know this because he signed his pieces, making him one of the few ancient artisans whose name we know today. The jug's decorations, which include stylized leaves and geometric patterns, are typical of Roman art during this period. But the glass is also significant as a sign of expanding trade networks. Glass blowing developed in the Eastern Mediterranean in the first century BCE and spread throughout the Roman Empire. It became popular because it was cheaper and lighter than pottery. Ennion's jug speaks to us about the development of craft specialization, about increased trade and about the use of signatures to promote individual artistic identities. These social changes all point to the emergence of a new kind of Roman world. We can learn more about this world by studying archaeological reports, trade records, and the writings of ancient historians.