Description
| ITEM | Beaker with ‘BIBE’, Type ‘Trierer Spruchbecher’ |
| MATERIAL | Pottery |
| CULTURE | Roman |
| PERIOD | 2nd Century A.D |
| DIMENSIONS | 67 mm x 90 mm |
| CONDITION | Good condition, repaired |
| PROVENANCE | Ex German private collection, Ernst Graumann, acquired before 1970s |
“Trierer Spruchbecher” or “Trierer motto beakers,” which were produced primarily in the region around Trier, a significant Roman city in Germania during the late Roman Empire. These beakers, often made of glass or sometimes ceramics, are known for their inscriptions that carry short, often witty, and sometimes humorous messages. The word “BIBE” itself is Latin for “drink,” and these beakers were typically designed to be used in social contexts such as banquets or gatherings. The inscription served both as an encouragement to partake in the drinking ritual and as a reminder of the convivial nature of these events.
The “Trierer Spruchbecher” typically featured inscriptions that were either humorous or meant to invoke a sense of social camaraderie. While the term “BIBE” literally means “drink,” the inscription could be part of a larger phrase or motto urging the drinker to enjoy the moment, often with a hint of lightheartedness or joviality. These beakers were likely used in private homes, at feasts, or in other social settings where wine and other beverages were shared. The practice of inscribing drinking vessels with such mottos reflected the Roman love of wine culture and the social importance of drinking in communal settings, where participation in the act of drinking was both a physical and symbolic gesture of solidarity and enjoyment.
