Archaeology TWO ROMAN LUXURY GLASS VESSELS FROM ALEXANDRIA Prof. Dr. Irena Lazar University of Primorska, Slovenia ABSTRACT The art of glass-making was developed to such an extent in the Roman period that the Romans differentiated between glass-blowers (vitrearii) and glass engravers and grinders (diatretarii) already by name. In the last few years researchers have determined a new group of engraved products, made in Egypt, probably in a workshop in Alexandria. Their characteristic is the use of engravings for the contours, i.e. the borders, combined with hand-made incisions for the details. Among the few products belonging to this group are also two vessels excavated in the northern Adriatic and Alpine area. Two luxury glass vessels, one from Slovenia (Ptuj – Poetovio) and another one from Croatia (Bakar - Volcera) will be discussed in the paper. The interpretation of the motif on the bottle From Ptuj as being the famous Alexandrian lighthouse helps to confirm the location of the workshop to Alexandria. Keywords: Roman glass, engraving, workshops, Alexandria, Poetovio INTRODUCTION The Mediterranean and the Adriatic played an important role in the spread and trade of the glassmaking from its beginning. Their maritime routes were used to transport raw materials and glass products, glass merchants and glass masters with their knowledge about the craft and its techniques travelled along. In the Roman period this exchange became even more intensive due to the vast and economically and politically good organized Roman Empire and also because of the organisation of the Roman glass industry in the primary and secondary production. Archaeological finds of the ancient glass on the Adriatic and its coastal and hinterland areas prove the area to be geographically comprehensive and closely bound within the enormous Roman Empire. Luxury objects in antiquity were often made of glass. Even now, two thousand years later, anyone viewing few of the completely preserved vessels and objects will be awestruck by the complexity of their form and design. For the wealthy Romans who were the recipients of such objects, undoubtedly the sense of wonder and mystery would be even greater, since the information about glass forming and decoration was closely guarded by the glass masters who were able to perform these techniques. The art of glass-making was in the Roman period developed to such an extent that the Romans differentiated between glass-blowers (vitrearii) and glass engravers and grinders (diatretarii) already by name. Ancient sources also attest to their autonomy, speaking of specialized trades and also mentioning the diatretarii aside from architects, painters and sculptors [1]. Just like painters and sculptors, glass engravers in the Roman period worked on the basis of patterns and models. The work was challenging and demanded special caution apart from the craftsmanship and artistic knowledge and skills due to the fragility of the material. This is precisely why the material