Amphora
An amphora is a vessel with two handles. Ancient examples include transport containers, table vessels and painted vases; not all had pointed bases or the same function.
Transport amphorae carried wine, olive oil and fish products. Shape, ceramic fabric, stamps and inscriptions help investigate production and trade. The outline alone does not always establish exact contents.
Athena beside Heracles on an Attic black-figure amphora, 520-510 BC; vase painting as evidence for myth.
Scene with amphorae from the Theban tomb of Nakht. Dynasty 18, 15th century BC; Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Glass amphora from Pompeii, first century AD; an expensive vessel form connected with storing and serving drinks.Not every amphora bears a stamp. Stamps are compared with rim, handle and base forms, ceramic fabric and find context. Heinrich Dressel’s classification became an important basis for studying Roman transport amphorae, but does not cover all vessels from every period.
A pointed transport-amphora base suits close packing and supported storage. Other forms have flat bases. Capacities vary: the Roman measure amphora and the actual volume of different vessels are not identical.
Panathenaic prize amphorae were painted vessels of olive oil awarded to victors in Athenian contests. They are distinguished from ordinary transport containers and other painted vases with similar shapes.
Related topics
Literature and sources
- A. P. Abramov. Greek Amphorae of the Sixth and Fifth Centuries BCE in the Northern Black Sea Region. Dmitry Pozharsky University, 2020.
- Panathenaic prize amphora: Metropolitan Museum.
Roman ceramic amphora, first century AD; such vessels were the main transport containers for wine and other products.
Roman ceramic amphora, first century AD; vessel form helps connect goods with region and trade route.
Roman ceramic amphora, first century AD; the elongated form was useful for stowage in ships and warehouses.
Roman ceramic amphora, first century AD; transport containers were a central part of the wine economy.Interested in Ancient Rome beyond reading? Join Legio X Fretensis or explore our reenactment directions.
