Terracotta column-krater (mixing bowl) 380 BC

This terracotta column-krater, a mixing bowl, was made by an anonymous artist. Consider the world of ancient Greece, a society steeped in complex social hierarchies, patriarchal norms, and the ever-present realities of slavery and warfare. This vessel, likely used in a symposium, presents an intriguing tableau. A seated male figure dominates the scene, attended by a female figure bearing gifts and a male figure with a spear. The imagery promotes a celebration of masculine power. Yet, when we look closer, we might question the narratives of dominance. Were women always silent in these social rituals? Did enslaved people have no influence? This artwork acts as a reminder of the stories that ancient societies chose to tell about themselves, and the lives and voices they often left out. As you stand here, consider how the echoes of these ancient power dynamics continue to shape our world today.