Object 3: Women at the fountain-house vase (pt a)

Introduction

  • Greetings and introduction to the sixth lecture of CC 1,100: Classics in 20 Objects.
  • Engagement with the audience about the significance of the topic.
  • Emphasis on the five questions relevant for examining ancient artifacts.

The Five Questions for Examination

  1. What is it?

    • The artifact discussed is a hydria, a type of pot, specifically used for holding water.
    • Water had various uses: drinking, washing, cleaning, and mixing with wine.
    • In ancient Greek culture, diluting wine with water was seen as a civilized act.

  2. What’s it made of?

    • Made of pottery, which is essentially fired clay.
    • Pottery production involves:
      • Digging and refining clay, shaping it into vessels, and firing in kilns.
      • Decoration is crucial as it adds value to the pottery.
    • The cultural aspect ties the value of the pots with the products they contained (wine, olive oil, perfume).

  3. Where is it from?

    • The hydria is from Athens, known for its advanced pottery industry, especially in a region called Keramikos.
    • This specific style is called black figure pottery, characterized by black figures against a reddish-orange clay background.
    • Introduced in Corinth around 700 BC, but Athenian production began around 630 BC, overtaking Corinth due to superior local clay.
    • Black figure pottery remained dominant until it was succeeded by red figure pottery around 530 BC.

  4. How old is it?

    • The vessel dates back to the late sixth century BC, specifically around 520 BC, shortly before democracy was established in Athens.

  5. Why does it matter?

    • Pottery is a vital archaeological resource despite being fragile.
    • Durable and often found intact in tombs, providing insight into ancient life and practices.
      • Pottery survives in various conditions, unlike organic materials (wood, textiles, etc.), making it a reliable historical artifact.
    • The shape and style of vessels inform us about daily life, trade routes, and cultural practices.
    • Figured pottery further enriches our understanding due to its decorative artwork, reflecting mythology, drama, and social scenes.
    • Potters often left inscriptions, offering insights on the creators and the historical context.

Contextualization and Importance of Study

  • Pottery should be viewed within its archaeological context, focusing on how it was used, traded, and disposed of.
  • The beauty of Greek pottery is often admired out of context, but understanding its function and significance is essential.
  • Pottery styles contribute to relative dating of archaeological sites, enabling historians to piece together historical timelines based on stratification.
  • Figured pottery is particularly valuable for its clear stylistic trends that allow for tight chronological dating.
  • Recognizing the aesthetic and practical aspects of pottery enriches our perspective of ancient Greek society.

Conclusion

  • The initial overview provides a foundation for understanding the specific vessel that will be discussed in the second half of the lecture.
  • Transition into a short break before delving deeper into this particular artifact's significance and details.