Description

The small stamp belongs to the group of eye salve or collyria stamps, which were only widespread in the northwestern provinces of the Roman Empire. The medicines were formed into small, long oval shapes, stamped and then dried. To use, they were then mixed back into water or egg white to form an ointment.

The inscription on two sides of the stamp first names the manufacturer of the ointment: C. Xanthus. This is followed by the name of the medication and what ailments it is intended to alleviate. These are two common eye diseases: conjunctivitis or discharge and foreign bodies under the eyelid (impetum and aspritudo). Copper vitriol ointment (diamisus) and penicillum used.

What it is about penicillum is unclear. The term can mean sponge or linseed fiber. Whether it is meant that the paste should be applied with a sponge, or whether charred fibers or sponges were part of the ointment is controversially discussed in research.