Pottery

Ancient Greek pots represent some of the only ancient Greek painting to survive.

c. 900–146 B.C.E.

Beginner's Guide

What is Ancient Greek pottery?

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The François Vase: story book of Greek mythology
The François Vase: story book of Greek mythology

Zeus, Hera, and more than 100 gods, heroes, and monsters enact ancient Greek mythology on the surface of this vase.

Euphronios, <em>Sarpedon Krater</em>
Euphronios, Sarpedon Krater

Gods carry away the dead on a pot looted from a tomb, trafficked out of Italy, bought by the Met, and finally returned.

Terracotta Krater
Terracotta Krater

This pot stood above a grave, and the female mourners depicted on it tear out their hair in grief.

Sophilos: a new direction in Greek pottery
Sophilos: a new direction in Greek pottery

Through interactions with other Mediterranean cultures, ancient Greek potters developed new techniques.

Greek Vase-Painting, an introduction
Greek Vase-Painting, an introduction

Greek potters developed a remarkable variety of shapes, sizes, and styles that offer insights into ancient culture.

<em>Eleusis Amphora</em>
Eleusis Amphora

This ancient pot depicts not one, but two myths: Perseus slaying Medusa and Odysseus blinding the cyclops.

Ancient Greek vase production and the black-figure technique
Ancient Greek vase production and the black-figure technique

From heroes and gods to everyday life, ancient Greek pottery depicted a variety of subjects.

Making Greek vases
Making Greek vases

How did ancient Greek potters make and decorate their pottery?

<em>Niobid Krater</em>
Niobid Krater

The gods Apollo and Artemis exact revenge for their mother, in an early attempt at showing depth in ancient Greek art.

<em>Dipylon Amphora</em>
Dipylon Amphora

As tall as a person, this pot is covered with geometric patterns and early figural representations.

Exekias, <em>Dionysos Kylix</em>
Exekias, Dionysos Kylix

This cup depicts the god of wine Dionysos escaping pirates by hiding and turning them into dolphins.

Exekias, Attic black figure amphora with Ajax and Achilles playing a game
Exekias, Attic black figure amphora with Ajax and Achilles playing a game

Achilles and Ajax, heroes of the Trojan War, break from battle to play a friendly game that hints at a tragic future.

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