Amphorae

The amphora is a two-handled pot with a neck that is considerably narrower than the body. Coarse amphorae were the standard containers for transporting oil and wine. Panathenaic amphorae; were presented as prizes in the Panathenaic Games.They contained oil for the victors.

The belly amphora (Type B) has a continuous profile from lip to foot. The mouth has a straight lip, the foot is in one part and has a convex (echinus) profile. The handles are round. An old shape, it contunued to be made until the mid-fifth century. Type A is a more elaborate version of the belly amphora which was introduced soon after 550. The handles are flanged, flat and decorated (ivy pattern). The foot is in two parts. Type C is a less common version with a round mouth and a foot in one part.

Examples of the Panathenaic amphora are known from about 560 to the second century BC or later. The shape changes little and the decoration remains as black-figure. Characteristic features are the broad body, narrow neck and foot. Many full-sized amphorae of Panathenaic shape, and miniatures, were souvenirs rather than prizes. In the late sixth and early fifth centuries the shape was decorated in red-figure in Athens. In the fourth century painters in South Italy introduced a more elaborate form.

Amphora (Greek amphoreus, - 'carried on both sides')

	Athenian amphora ht. 37cm. (Type B)	Athenian amphora ht. 46cm. (Type A)	Athenian amphora ht. 49.5cm. Panathenaic shape

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