---
title: The Lycurgus Cup
author: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4842/the-lycurgus-cup/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 1970-01-01
---

# The Lycurgus Cup

_Authored by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/)_

## Image File

[![The Lycurgus Cup](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4842.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/4842.jpg)

## Image Caption

This magnificent glass cage cup is is decorated with scenes from the myth of [Lycurgus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lycurgus/), a king from Thrace. Lycurgus attacked [Dionysos](https://www.worldhistory.org/Dionysos/), the [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/) [god](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) of wine, as well as the maenads (Dionysos' female followers) and Ambrosia the [nymph](https://www.worldhistory.org/nymph/). Ambrosia prayed for help to Mother Earth, who transformed her into a vine so that she could coil around the king. The cup shows Lycurgus trapped by the vine, while Dionysos, [Pan](https://www.worldhistory.org/Pan/), and a [satyr](https://www.worldhistory.org/satyr/) (male follower of [Dionysus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Dionysos/)) torment him for his evil behaviour. The cup was probably made in [Alexandria](https://www.worldhistory.org/alexandria/) or [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) in about 290-325 CE. Late [Roman](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Roman/), 4th century CE. The British Museum, London. Formerly in the Collection of Rothschild; acquired by the British Museum in 1958.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Associate Professor of Neurology and lover of the Cradle of Civilization, Mesopotamia. I'm very interested in Mesopotamian history and always try to take photos of archaeological sites and artifacts in museums, both in Iraq and around the world.
- [Facebook Profile](https://www.facebook.com/MRCPian)
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/osama-shukir-muhammed-amin/)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Amin, O. S. M. (2016, April 01). The Lycurgus Cup. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4842/the-lycurgus-cup/>
### Chicago
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Lycurgus Cup." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 01, 2016. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4842/the-lycurgus-cup/>.
### MLA
Amin, Osama Shukir Muhammed. "The Lycurgus Cup." *World History Encyclopedia*, 01 Apr 2016, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/4842/the-lycurgus-cup/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/OsamaSMAmin/ "User Page: Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin"), published on 01 April 2016. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Copyright](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Copyright). You cannot use, copy, distribute, or modify this item without explicit permission from the author. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.