From the 8th century BC onwards, southern Italy was populated by a vast number of Greek colonies, so much so that the Romans referred to the area as Magna Graecia – ‘Great Greece’. These Greek colonies were instrumental in bringing Greek culture to Italy, greatly influencing Roman literature, philosophy, and material culture in turn. Greek pottery from Southern Italy, especially in the Apulian region, is most characteristically defined by the glossy black finish.
Skyphoi were drinking cups (usually for wine) that took the form of deep bowls with two handles, usually with a low base. They were pioneered in Corinth. The skyphos was a popular shape, designed to fit easily in the drinkers’ hand, which remained in use into the Roman period and was frequently used at banquets and symposia. The men of ancient Greece regularly got together in private homes to exchange ideas, conversing about different topics and socializing over a drink. As the evening progressed, participants engaged in other pleasures, including games, performances, and sex. Wine played a major role in fuelling these evenings, and a myriad of vessels were used for preparing wine while smaller vessels like this one were used to serve and drink it.
To find out more about the different types of Greek vessels please visit our relevant blog post: Types of Ancient Greek Vases.
