At its peak, the Achaemenid Empire had the most expansive territory in history, on account of which it embraced a fusion of various languages, religions, and cultures. Indeed, the phiale itself was not a Achaemenid invention, but can be traced back to the Bronze Age and even prehistoric Greece.
The bronze phiale was one of the items to be found on the dining table of the Achaemenid court. It was specifically a wine bowl, integral to the pouring of libations at mealtimes and other ritual occasions. Although the most precious plates were made from gold and silver, the ability of these materials to be reworked means that few have survived in their original form.
