Koan Amphora Stamps and the Case of 'Lochos': Reassessing the Identity of Fabricants

Abstract

Eponym and fabricant names are key elements commonly found on amphora stamps in the Hellenistic period; while the function and identity of eponyms are relatively well understood, those of fabricants remain ambiguous. Traditionally, fabricant names have been linked to the production of amphorae or their contents. However, our recent research on the stamps of double-barreled Koan amphora handles suggests a new perspective on their role. Focusing on the case of Lochos the second most common name on Koan amphora stamps—attested on 112 stamps impressed by 30 dies—this article argues that fabricants can be identified through the subdisciplines of amphora studies, numismatics, and epigraphy. Building on the works of J. Bauschatz and E. Lanciers, an analysis of the honors, titles, privileges, and responsibilities associated with Lochos makes it possible to identify him as the historical figure actively involved in the food supply under Ptolemy VIII Euergetes II. This paper challenges the conventional view that fabricants were producers, arguing instead that they were prominent and privileged figures of their time.

Keywords

• Amphora
• Amphora Stamps
• Kos
• Lochos
• Fabricants

Kos Amphora Mühürleri ve 'Lochos' Örneği: Üreticilerin Kimliğine Dair Yeni Bir Değerlendirme

Öz

Yönetici (eponym) ve üretici (fabricant) isimleri, Hellenistik Dönem’de amphora mühürlerinde yaygın olarak bulunan kilit unsurlardır; yöneticilerin işlevi ve kimliği nispeten iyi anlaşılmışken, üreticilerin işlevi ve kimliği belirsizliğini korumaktadır. Geleneksel olarak, üretici isimleri amphora veya içindekilerin üretimiyle ilişkilendirilmiştir. Ancak, ikiz (bifid) kulplu Kos amphoralarındaki mühürler üzerine yaptığımız son araştırmalar, onların rolüne dair yeni bir bakış açısı sunmaktadır. Bu makale, Kos amphora mühürlerindeki en yaygın ikinci isim olan, 30 farklı kalıpla basılmış 112 mühürde ismi görülen Lochos örneğine odaklanarak üreticilerin amphora çalışmaları, nümizmatik ve epigrafi alt disiplinleri aracılığıyla tanımlanabileceğini savunmaktadır. J. Bauschatz ve E. Lanciers’in çalışmalarından yola çıkarak, Lochos ile ilişkilendirilen onurlar, unvanlar, ayrıcalıklar ve sorumlulukların değerlendirilmesi, ismin VII. Ptolemios II. Euergetes döneminde besin tedariğinde aktif rol oynayan tarihi bir figür ile ilişkilendirilmesine olanak sağlamıştır. Bu makale, üreticilerin üretim yapan kişiler olduğu yönündeki geleneksel görüşü sınayarak, bu kişilerin dönemin önde gelen ve ayrıcalıklı figürleri olduğunu öne sürmektedir.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Amphora
• Amphora Mühürleri
• Kos
• Lochos
• Üreticiler.

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