Ancient Mediterranean Study Guides

Reading Greek Vases

Contents

• Introduction
  • Ubiquity of pottery
  • A short history
  • Vase production
  • Types of vase
• Technique
  • Introduction to technique
  • Why are painted Greek vases important for understanding the past?
  • How do we read Greek vases?
• Study Questions
• References & Links

Introduction

Types of vase – form and function

Although subject to individual variance, there was only a fairly limited number of vase shapes (around 20) from which a Greek potter would choose. The form of the Greek vase was directly related to its function. For example, the krater was well-suited for mixing water, wine, and other liquids.  In contrast, the psykter (‘cooler’) was employed for cooling wine, while the tiny alabastron, which could be tied to the wrist, was used for carrying perfumes, oil, and other unguents.

Look at the following diagram for different vase shapes and their technical names.

Vase production < Previous | Next > Introduction to technique