Download Greek Kylix (AG 1)

Greek Kylix
Here we have an example of a Greek kylix, or drinking cup, which is
decorated with pictures of ten Gods and Goddesses from Ancient
Greek Mythology. See how many you can recognise! Amongst them is
Poseidon carrying his trident (three pronged spear) who is the Greek
"God of the Sea"; Zeus who is the god of sky and thunder in Greek mythology. You will recognise him from the thunderbolt held high in his
left hand and the eagle at his feet and Hestia the goddess of the
hearth (home fire), architecture, the family and the state who is pictured holding a food basket in her right hand.
There are lots of different styles of drinking cups from Ancient Greek
times – some of them had handles and some did not. This particular
one has no handles and was made from terra cotta (reddish clay) and
decorated with delicately stamped and carved art work to make it look
like the more expensive silver work popular with the rich of the time.
Kylix were used for wine at parties. Greek men used to lie on couches
to eat. When the eating was finished they would retire to a room to
drink wine from painted pottery cups like this one or from shallow
cups with handles. Professional musicians and dancers might be hired
for the evening to entertain the men. Wives or daughters would not
be present. Women were not normally meant to go out or drink wine,
although there were women-only parties held during special religious
festivals.
Ancient Greece 1