Terracotta fragment of a kylix (drinking cup) 530 BC

This terracotta fragment of a kylix, or drinking cup, was made by Apollodoros, an Athenian potter and painter. Only a piece of the original vessel remains, but even in this state, it offers insight into ancient Greek culture. The black-figure technique, with its emphasis on silhouette and incised detail, creates a striking contrast. Produced in Attica, Greece, pottery like this had a central place in social life. Kylixes were used at symposia, gatherings of aristocratic men for drinking, music, and intellectual discussions. The imagery on these cups often reflected the values and concerns of this elite social class, ranging from mythological scenes to depictions of athletic contests. The study of such fragments, along with archaeological reports, and literary sources, helps us to reconstruct the world in which they were created. The meaning of this particular piece can be understood as contingent on the cultural context of ancient Athens and its institutions.