Terracotta oil lamps found in Herakleia at Latmos between 2021-2023

One of the most important needs of human beings is lighting.Lamps, one of the tools used to meet this need, have survived for a long time by being shaped in different forms and decorated with various ornaments and scenes.Oil lamps, which are used in every aspect of life and are therefore frequently found during excavations, provide very important information about the period they belong to. In this study, 56 terracotta oil lamps found in the works carried out in Heracleiaat Latmos between 2021-2023 were discussed.55 of these lamps were found during the excavations and one was found on the survey.Our aim is to lay the foundation of the lamp typology of the Ancient City of Heracleia and to contribute to future studies. The oil lamps found in Heracleia were examined under three headings: Hellenistic Period, Roman Imperial Period and Late Antique Period lamps.25 of the oil lamps belong to the Hellenistic Period, 29 to the Roman Imperial Period and 2 to the Late Antique Period.14 different types were identified in the lamps found in Heracleia.The most common type among these was the volute lamps belonging to the Roman Imperial Period with 16 pieces.The most common type among the Hellenistic Period lamps is the Knidos type lamps with 7 pieces. The lamps were dated in line with their similar examples and the excavation context. The decorations, symbols and scenes seen on the discus, shoulder and nozzle of terracotta oil lamps were also discussed.In these oil lamps, there are scenes of mythological figures such as Zeus with his eagle, Dionysus depicted on the back of the Centaur and Victoria symbolizing victory, as well as scenes from daily life and animal figures.According to the typological and iconographic results, the earliest example of the terracotta oil lamps found in Herakleiaat Latmos between 2021-2023 was dated to the mid-4th century BC, and the latest example was dated to the 5th-7th centuries AD. Keywords:Heracleia at Latmos, Latmos, Terracotta oil lamp, Knidos type, Ephesos type, Volute-nozzle.