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A libation is a ritual pouring of a drink as an offering to a god. It was common in the religions of antiquity, including Judaism:"And Jacob set up a Pillar in the place where he had spoken with him, a Pillar of Stone; and he poured out a drink offering on it, and poured oil on it". (Genesis 35:14)
The liquid used in libations varied; most commonly it was wine or olive oil. The vesssels used in the ritual, including the patera, often had a significant form which differentiated it from secular vessels. The liquid was poured onto something of religious signficance. The libation was very often poured on the ground itself, as an offering to the Earth.
In his Pneumatica, Hero of Alexandria described a mechanism for automating the process by using altar fires to force oil from the cups of two statues.
