Ancient Greek vessel: forms and purposes

There are different types of ancient Greek vessels. The dishes at that time were 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.

Vessel Kilik

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

Crater and psycheter

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

As for the psychopter, this vessel had a high cylindrical stem. Thanks to this design, the container was placed in a bowl with a large volume. Most often the vessel was used to cool drinks, filled it with cold water or ice.

Hydria

This ancient Greek vessel was made only of ceramic materials. However, there are instances created from metal. In shape, the vessel resembled a wide receptacle with a wide neck. Hydria, as a rule, was equipped with two handles, which were located horizontally between the shoulders and corolla. But this is optional. There were hydria and with one handle, located vertically.

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

Calpis and oinochyma

Calpide is a vessel used for water. However, often this capacity served as an urn, in which the ashes of the deceased were kept.

As for the oynohoy, this vessel was in the shape of a jug with a spout. This design allowed the use of a container as a dish for a variety of drinks. Oinohoya was most often filled with wine. Near the neck there were three drains. This allowed you to quickly fill the glasses with drinks.

Amphora and pelican

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

In ancient Greece, there were many different dishes. To store drinks, oil and loose products, a vessel such as a pelican was used. He had an extended form from the very top to the bottom. Two handles were arranged vertically on each side of the container.

Panafinean amphora and lutorphus

There was also an ancient Greek vessel, which was awarded to the winners of the Panatholic contests. It was a very valuable gift. This vessel was called the Panafinean amphora. The capacity was made in Athens. The first mention of such a vessel dates from 566 BC. Before serving, the container was filled with oil.

Some vessels were used for wedding rituals. This capacity was called lutrophore. The vessel had a high body and a narrow long neck. Lutfor was decorated with two handles and a wide coronet. The water in this vessel was washed by the bride before the wedding. This ritual was carried out rigorously. After the death of the girl, lutrophore was put together with the deceased into the grave. After some time such vessels began to decorate all burial places.

Stamnos and Ariball

Stamnos is an ancient Greek vessel, which had a short neck and a wide opening in it. On the edges of the container were placed handles, due to which it was convenient to hold. They kept wine in these vessels.

Ariball is a small vessel in which gymnasts athletes stored oil. Were carrying a container in a bag on the belt. In addition, the ariball was used to store perfume ointments.

Alabaster and Pixida

When carrying out excavations, they often found an ancient Greek vessel in the form of a horn, a bowl or a cone. Very unusual shape was possessed by Alabaster. This vessel was oblong and had a flat neck, on which was placed a special eyelet, allowing to suspend the container. This was the main feature of Alabaster. The bottom of the vessel was neatly rounded. Such dishes were made of alabaster, metal, glass or baked clay. On the outside, the vessel was decorated with ornaments. A container for storing aromatic compounds was used.

Oval or round form possessed a piksida. Inside such a vessel were stored various ornaments. Often the container was filled with spices and ointments. It was made of an ivory, wood or gold oxide.

Lekif and Scythia

Basically, the vessels in ancient Greece were used to store wine, oil or ointments. It was convenient and practical. Vessel lekif used for oil. At first, such dishes were made cone-shaped, and then they began to make cylindrical. There was a handle on one side of the vessel. Another feature of the container is a narrow neck. It is worth noting that lekif often used to conduct a funeral ritual.

Scyphos is usually used for drinking. This container looked like a bowl with several horizontal handles. The volume of the vessel was 270 ml. Ancient Romans and Greeks used Scyphos to measure the amount of liquid.

Kanfar, rheton and kiaaf

Some vessels in ancient Greece looked like a scoop. Such a pottery includes a kiaaf. The vessel had a fairly long handle of a curved shape. The container resembled a bowl that could be placed on a flat surface. It was held by small legs at the bottom of the tank. The volume of the vessel was 450 ml. It was used to measure the amount of bulk products and liquids.

Kanfar is an ancient Greek vessel resembling a goblet. He had a high leg and several pens. It was used mainly for drinking. Legends of Ancient Greece indicate that kanfar was an attribute of the god Dionysus himself.

Among the vessels there were also very original specimens. The container called riton was funnel-shaped. Often such a vessel was performed in the form of a head of a person, a bird or an animal. Metal or ceramic materials were used to make the riton.

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