Oscillum

Oscillum, plural oscilla, is a Latin term used by classical writers and modern archaeologists to denote a small ritual object found in ancient Roman religion. The form and function of oscillia varied, and surviving examples show a range of materials and shapes. Most are small and portable, and they may have functioned as protective talismans, votive offerings, or ceremonial indicators rather than as cult statues.

In domestic and public settings, oscilla were used in a variety of rites. Some appear to have been hung in household shrines or carried during processions, while others may have accompanied sacrifices or healing cults. They are commonly associated with apotropaic purposes—objects intended to ward off misfortune or evil spirits—and with guardians of the household and Lares.

Materials and archaeology: Oscilla are found in bone, terracotta, wood, bronze, or other perishable materials. They are frequently uninscribed, making interpretation dependent on context and iconography. The best-attested evidence comes from domestic contexts in Republican and Imperial Italy, though some finds come from provincial sites as well.

Etymology and scholarly notes: The exact origin of the term oscillum is uncertain; the plural oscilla is used in Latin and by archaeologists as a generic label for these objects. Because the objects span a range of forms and uses, the term does not imply a single standardized object.

See also: Amulets in Roman religion; Lares; Penates; Votive offerings; Roman ritual objects.