Storage vessels and drinking vessels

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