Λύκιον
was
a
vegetable-based
collyrium
much
appreciated
in
antiquity.
It
can
be
considered
a
new
actor
in
the
history
of
the
medicamenta
and
aromata
trade,
as
well
as
more
generally
in
the
history
of
the
evolution
of
economic
relations
in
the
Mediterranean
basin
between
the
end
of
the
4th
century
B.C.
and
the
middle
of
the
2nd
centuiy
B.C.
The
small
vases
in
which
λύκιον
was
sold,
in
practically
symbolic
quantities,
are
the
first
to
show
impressed
the
name
of
the
doctor
or
of
the
pharmacopola
who
had
manufactured
the
product
associated
with
the
name
of
the
substance.
Thirty-two
specimens
of
vases
have
been
described
(23
pottery,
eight
lead
and
one
copper);
on
them
are
impressed
the
names
of
15
different
pharmacopola.
Another
21
specimens
(all
pottery)
show
only
the
name
of
the
substance.
It
appears
that
there
are
four
principal
groups
of
patterns:
Sicilian,
Magna
Graecia,
Athenian
or
Central
Mediterranean,
and
Eastern
Mediterranean.
The
authors
hope
that
new
specimens
will
be
reported
soon.
