Terracotta neck-amphora (jar) 510 BC

This terracotta neck-amphora, or jar, was made in Athens by the Leagros Group, a workshop known for their fine pottery. Although undated, its style is typical of the late Archaic period. The black-figure decoration shows Dionysus, god of wine, theatre, and religious ecstasy. He is accompanied by satyrs, mythical creatures who are part man, part goat, and who are associated with revelry and the wild. The scene tells us a lot about Athenian culture. Pottery was a major industry, and the scenes depicted on vases give us insight into Athenian beliefs, rituals, and social life. The figure of Dionysus reflects the importance of wine, but also the cultural investment in drama and communal religious experiences. Archaeological reports, museum records, and academic publications would help us understand the historical context in greater detail, but even this amphora gives us a glimpse of the values and structures of Athenian society.