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What inspired the Mycenaeans?
The Mycenaeans copied the Minoans in pottery before creating their own style
How were clay pottery items made?
A basic shape was made on the potter’s wheel, then patterns were added through an applied iron-rich slip, which became various shades of red or black depending on the temperature of the kiln. Then it was fired
Types of vessels
Pithos jar, amphorae, stirrup jars, kraters, stamnos, kylix, rhyton
What was a pithos jar?
A very large container for liquid or food which could be partially buried in the ground
What did pithos jars contain?
Often oil, which created a huge risk of fire, so many ancient cities suffered from fires caused by these, or other food
How large were pithos jars?
1.5 metres tall and weighed over 2 tonnes (2000kg) when filled
Why were pithos jars partially buried?
To keep the contents as fresh and cool as possible
What was an amphora?
A smaller jar with a narrower neck, often elaborately painted
What were amphorae used for?
To carry and transport wine or dry goods like corn
What patterns did amphorae have?
Geometric patterns, scenes from nature, but later Mycenaeans also painted lines or solid blocks of colour particularly at the top and bottom to focus the eye on the main picture
Example of a use of amphorae
At the Panathenaic procession, victors were given an amphora of oil with an image of Athena on one side and their event on the other, which was worth lots of money
What was a stirrup jar?
Most common in Mycenae with handles which resemble stirrups used to store oil or wine
Were stirrup jars decorated?
Some were painted with geometric designs, which had a major influence on later Greek pottery
What was a krater?
Used for mixing wine and water at celebrations and religious events
Why was wine diluted?
Greek wine was very strong, so usually water would be mixed with it beforehand
What happens if you drink undiluted wine?
It is incredibly potent - when the centaurs drank it, they got drunk and tried to rape the Lapith women!
What is a stamnos?
A type of wine jar
What is a kylix?
A drinking vessel with a long stem and two handles
What is a rhyton?
An animal shaped drinking vessel used for pouring liquid and made from pottery or metal. There was a hole at the bottom for the liquid to come out, as well as the hole at the top for wine to to poured in
How were rhytons used?
A finger could be used to cover the hole until it needed to be poured, and it had a ceremonial use for the blood at a sacrifice
How were rhytons shaped?
In animal heads (lions and bulls) or even a shoe
The lion head rhyton
16th century BC found in grave circle A at Mycenae. Made from sheets of gold hammered together into place, with the techniques hammering, repousse and granulation