Terracotta rim fragment of a kylix (drinking cup) 500 BC

This is a fragment of a terracotta kylix, or drinking cup, by the artist Macronian. Though we don't know the exact date of its creation, it gives us insight into the rituals and narratives of ancient Greece. Drinking cups like this one weren’t just functional; they were deeply embedded in social practices, especially in the symposium, a kind of ancient Greek “think tank.” These gatherings were exclusive, usually for aristocratic men, and were spaces for philosophical debate, poetry, and, of course, drinking. So, this kylix echoes with the voices and ideas of its time. The imagery on these cups often depicted scenes from mythology, daily life, or even explicit sexual encounters, reflecting and perhaps shaping the cultural values and norms around masculinity, power, and pleasure. While only a fragment survives, imagine holding this kylix, feeling its weight, and engaging with the stories it once told.