Roman Samian Ware. 



235 



dances of bacchantes and satj^rs, another proof that this 

 ware was used for the festive board. The spirited manner in 

 which these subjects are often treated, may be illustrated by the 

 fragment copied in our cut, Fig. 7, which is part of a baccha- 

 nalian scene, in which Silenus figures among satyrs and fauns. 

 A faun is drinking from a horn supplied from a wine skin which 

 he holds in his left hand, while Silenus attempts to snatch it 

 from his hands. Genii, one of whom appears with wings on 

 another fragment of the same vessel, appear to be directing or 



Fig. 7. A Bacchanalian Group. 



presiding over the scene. Among other very favourite subjects 

 are hunting scenes, gladiatorial combats, and the sports of 

 the amphitheatre. Others represent sacrifices and religious 

 offerings. Musicians performing on various instruments 

 are also common ; and domestic scenes are depicted 

 in great variety. Many of these are of a character 

 not to be described, but sufficiently characteristic of the 

 degraded state of morality under the Roman empire. The 

 bowl, in the fourth figure on our plate, is ornamented with a 

 series of figures, which appear to have no connection with one 

 another. In the middle is a Bacchanal with his thirsus ; to 

 the right of him, a figure playing on the double pipe ; on both 

 sides a group of bears ; and to the extreme right a charioteer, 

 followed by a bear "rampant.'" 



The convivial purposes to which much of this Samian ware 

 was intended to administer, is further illustrated by inscriptions 

 on some examples found in France, especially at Boulogne. 

 These, which are given in the first volume of Mr. Roach 

 Smith's valuable Collectanea Antigua, are, on one, AYE, i.e., 



