Kylix (drinking cup): Warrior; Warriors Practicing c. 490

Editor: Here we have a kylix, a drinking cup, depicting a warrior, made by The Foundry Painter. I’m struck by how intimate the scene feels, contained within this small, functional object. What can you tell us about the warrior's depiction? Curator: This cup offers a glimpse into the performative nature of masculinity in ancient Greece. The warrior, shield emblazoned with a scorpion, is both a figure of strength and vulnerability. Consider the scorpion: is it a symbol of power, or perhaps a commentary on the self-destructive nature of aggression and war? Editor: That’s fascinating. I hadn’t considered the scorpion in that way. Curator: These objects weren't just decorative; they were tools in shaping cultural narratives. The act of drinking from this cup, surrounded by images of warriors, becomes a ritualistic engagement with ideas of heroism and identity. Editor: I see now how this everyday object can reveal so much about the values of that time. Curator: Precisely. It shows how art is embedded in social practices.