Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup) 530 BC

This is a fragment of a terracotta kylix, or drinking cup, made by Makron, an Athenian vase painter known for his work in the red-figure technique. Pottery like this was made in ancient Greece, a society deeply structured by class, gender, and civic identity. Athenian society was patriarchal, and the symposium, where kylixes like this were used, was an exclusively male space. The imagery painted on these cups often reflects the values and social dynamics of the elite male citizens who used them. Though this is just a fragment, one can imagine the scenes of revelry, mythological narratives, or athletic competitions that might have adorned the complete vessel, offering a glimpse into the worldview of ancient Athenian society. The act of drinking together was more than just refreshment, it was a ritual, and the kylix itself, a canvas for expressing cultural identity and social norms.