Ancient Greek vessel: forms and purposes

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Ancient Greek vessel: forms and purposes
Ancient Greek vessel: forms and purposes
Anonim

There are different types of ancient Greek vessels. Ware at that time was valued no less than gold. In ancient Greece, each vessel had its own purpose. Some containers were used for water, others for oil, and still others for wine. At the moment, about 20 main types of ancient Greek vessels are known.

ancient Greek vessel
ancient Greek vessel

Kylik Vessel

This ancient Greek vessel was made not only from ceramic materials, but also from metal. Basically, the kilik was used for drinking. As for the shape of the vessel, it is open. Outwardly, the kylik resembled a flat bowl with a leg. Most often, this part of the vessel was made elongated and rather thin. In addition to the legs, the kilik had several handles.

Crater and psykter

Crater is an ancient Greek vessel for wine. It was made with a fairly wide neck. The crater was used, as a rule, for mixing several varieties of strong wines with water. For convenience, such a jug was equipped with two handles located on the sides.

As for the psykter, this vessel had a high cylindrical leg. Thanks to this design, the container was placed in dishes with a large volume. Most often, the vessel was used forcooling drinks, fill it with cold water or ice.

Hydria

This ancient Greek vessel was made only from ceramic materials. However, there are instances made of metal. The shape of the vessel resembled a wide container with a wide neck. Hydria, as a rule, was equipped with two handles, which were located horizontally between the shoulders and the rim. But this is optional. There were also hydrias with one vertical handle.

The surface of such containers was often painted. This ancient Greek vessel was used for water, wine and other drinks.

types of ancient Greek vessels
types of ancient Greek vessels

Calpida and Oinochoia

Kalpida is a vessel that was used for water. However, often such a container served as an urn in which the ashes of the deceased were kept.

As for the Oinochoe, this vessel had the shape of a jug with a spout. This design made it possible to use the container as a dish for a variety of drinks. Most often, the oinochoya was filled with wine. Near the neck there were three drains. This made it possible to quickly fill the glasses with drinks.

Amphora and pelika

Amphora is an ancient Greek vessel for oil, which had an oval shape. For convenience, the container was equipped with two handles. Often such dishes were used for wine. However, the amphora, like the calpida, was often used to store the ashes of the deceased. The vessel was also used during voting. The volume of the amphora was 26.3 liters. With the help of such a vessel, the amount of liquid was measured. Madesuch dishes made of glass, wood, silver or bronze.

In ancient Greece, there were many different dishes. To store drinks, oil and bulk products, a vessel such as a pelika was used. He had an expanded form from the very top to the bottom. Two handles were located vertically on the sides of the container.

ancient Greek vessel in the form of a horn
ancient Greek vessel in the form of a horn

Panathenaean amphora and luthrophore

There was also an ancient Greek vessel, which was awarded to the winners of the Panathenaic competitions. It was a very valuable gift. Such a vessel was called the Panathenaic amphora. The container was made in Athens. The first mention of such a vessel dates back to 566 BC. Before handing, the container was filled with oil.

Some of the vessels were used for wedding rituals. Such a container was called a lutrophore. The vessel had a high body and a narrow long neck. Lutrofor was decorated with two handles and a wide rim. The water in this vessel was used to wash the bride before the wedding. This ritual was performed strictly. After the death of the girl, the lutrofor was placed with the deceased in the grave. After some time, such vessels began to decorate all burial places.

ancient greek water vessel
ancient greek water vessel

Stamnos and aryballos

Stamnos is an ancient Greek vessel that had a short neck and a wide opening in it. Along the edges of the container were handles, thanks to which it was convenient to hold it. Wine was stored in such vessels.

Ariball is a small vessel in which gymnasts keptbutter. They carried the container in a pouch on their belt. In addition, the aryball was used to store perfume ointments.

Alabaster and pixida

During excavations, they often found an ancient Greek vessel in the form of a horn, bowl or cone. Alabaster had a very unusual shape. This vessel was oblong and had a flat neck, on which a special eyelet was located, which made it possible to hang the container. This was the main feature of the alabaster. The bottom of the vessel was neatly rounded. Such dishes were made of alabaster, metal, glass or baked clay. From the outside, the vessel was decorated with ornaments. Such a container was used to store aromatic compounds.

Pyxida had an oval or round shape. Various decorations were kept inside such a vessel. Often the container was filled with spices and ointments. The pixida was made of ivory, wood or gold.

Ancient Greek wine vessel
Ancient Greek wine vessel

Lekithos and Skyphos

The vessels in ancient Greece were mainly used to store wine, oil or ointments. It was convenient and practical. The lekythos vessel was used for oil. At first, such dishes were made in a conical shape, and then they began to make cylindrical ones. There was a handle on one side of the vessel. Another feature of the container is the narrow neck. It is worth noting that the lekythos was often used for a funeral ritual.

Skyphos was commonly used for drinking. This container outwardly resembled a bowl with several horizontal handles. The volume of the vessel was 270 ml. The ancient Romans and Greeks usedskyphos for measuring the amount of liquid.

ancient greek oil jar
ancient greek oil jar

Kanthar, rhyton and kyaf

Some vessels in ancient Greece looked like a ladle. Kiaf belongs to such dishes. The vessel had a rather long curved handle. The container outwardly resembled a bowl that could be placed on a flat surface. She kept at the expense of small legs at the bottom of the container. The volume of the vessel was 450 ml. Used it to measure the amount of bulk products and liquids.

Kanthar is an ancient Greek vessel resembling a goblet. It had a high leg and several handles. It was used mainly for drinking. The legends of Ancient Greece indicate that kantharos was an attribute of the god Dionysus himself.

Among the vessels there were also very original specimens. The container called the rhyton had a funnel shape. Often such a vessel was made in the form of a human, bird or animal head. The rhyton was made using metal or ceramic materials.

This is just a small list of the most famous vessels of Ancient Greece. For each special occasion, certain utensils were used. As for the material intended for its manufacture, and the paintings, everything depended on the preferences and material condition of the person.

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