Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup) 530 BC

This is a fragment of a terracotta drinking cup, known as a kylix, made by Skythes, an Athenian potter and painter who was active in the late sixth century BC. Drinking cups like this were used at all-male drinking parties known as symposia, an important aristocratic ritual in ancient Greece. The symposium was an important social institution, where men would gather to drink wine, eat, and engage in conversation and entertainment. The kylix was a key element of this ritual, and the images painted on them often reflected the values and concerns of the aristocratic class. In this fragment, we can see the exquisite detail and skill of Skythes' painting, reflecting a culture of artistic patronage and innovation. To fully understand this fragment, we need to look at the wider social and cultural context of ancient Greece. Archaeological reports, historical texts, and studies of ancient Greek art and culture can help us appreciate the complex relationship between art, society, and ritual in the ancient world.