ROMSO Cyprus Knowledge Base

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Thymiatérion, literally: "incensiere", "alta per l'incenso" (from ancient Greek θυμιατήριον and from θυμιάειν thymiaein "suffumicare"; plural thymiateria) is an incense burner.

Origins

Thymiatérion is of Babylonian-Assyrian origin. Before being widely used in Greek and Roman, it was widespread in Egypt, Mesopotamia, Syria, Palestine and Phoenicia.
Most likely came to these populations through Cyprus. Incense sacrifices and incense altars belong especially to the cult of Aphrodite and Adonis; in fact, the incense is mentioned for the first time in that poem of Saffo, which evokes the epiphany of the goddess in its sacred forest of apples and roses, among tremble branches and altars that emanate vapors of incense. Later 'the use of incense spread a little everywhere: spreading a grain of incense on the flame is the simplest and most widespread sacrificial act, as well as the cheapest market'.

Use
Used as a vessel to burn incense grains and as a votive gift in places of worship, thymiaterion exhaled fumes and essences during sacred ceremonies aimed at creating an ideal link between the human and divine world. It could be fixed to a pan with support or mobile in the shape of a box with perforated lid or still suspended with chains.

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Ancient sculptures
Ancient tools and objects
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