ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Ancient Roman oil lamp

An ancient Roman oil lamp is a small, handheld lamp made out of clay or metal that the Romans used to light their homes at night. They would fill the lamp with oil and then stick a wick made out of a plant called flax into the oil. When the wick was lit, it would create a small flame that would give off light.

The lamps had a special design to make sure the oil didn't spill out. There was a small reservoir where the oil was kept, and a spout or nozzle where the wick was inserted. The reservoir had a small hole where the oil could be poured in, and sometimes there was a lid to cover the hole.

The lamps were used for many reasons, such as to read, to work, or to cook. They were also used as decoration, with intricate designs and patterns carved into the clay or metal. Some lamps had figures of gods or animals on them, while others were shaped like animals, shells, or flowers.

Today, ancient Roman oil lamps are very valuable and can be found in museums and private collections around the world.