Amphora

Where the pithos may have multiple small loops or lugs for fastening a rope harness, the amphora has two expansive handles joining the shoulder of the body and a long neck.For the most part, however, an amphora was tableware, or sat close to the table, was intended to be seen, and was finely decorated as such by master painters.Neck amphorae were commonly used in the early history of ancient Greece, but were gradually replaced by the one-piece type from around the 7th century BC onward.[2] If upright, the bases probably were held by some sort of rack, and ropes passed through their handles to prevent shifting or toppling during rough seas.The Latin word derived from the Greek amphoreus (ἀμφορεύς),[4] a shortened form of amphiphoreus (ἀμφιφορεύς), a compound word combining amphi- ("on both sides", "twain")[5] and phoreus ("carrier"), from pherein ("to carry"),[6] referring to the vessel's two carrying handles on opposite sides.The two spellings are transcriptions of amphiphorēwes (plural) and amphorēwe (dual) in Mycenaean Greek from which it may be seen that the short form prevailed on the mainland.[10] Once the amphora was complete, the maker then treated the interior with resin that would prevent permeation of stored liquids.Painted stamps, tituli picti, recorded the weight of the container and the contents, and were applied after the amphora was filled.[10] Ceramics of shapes and uses falling within the range of amphorae, with or without handles, are of prehistoric heritage across Eurasia, from the Caucasus to China.Amphorae dated to approximately 4800 BC have been found in Banpo, a Neolithic site of the Yangshao culture in China.In the Bronze and Iron Ages amphorae spread around the ancient Mediterranean world, being used by the ancient Greeks and Romans as the principal means for transporting and storing grapes, olive oil, wine, oil, olives, grain, fish, and other agricultural products.Their design differs vastly from the more functional versions; they are typified by wide mouth and a ring base, with a glazed surface and decorated with figures or geometric shapes.Especially in earlier periods, outsize vases were used as grave markers, while some amphorae were used as containers for the ashes of the dead.At the same time, in central Italy, the so-called Spello amphorae, small containers, were produced for the transportation of wine.[24] In the Aegean area the types from the island of Rhodes were quite popular starting from the 3rd century BC due to local wine production which flourished over a long period.Imitations of the Dressel 2-4 were produced on the island of Cos for the transportation of wine from the 4th century BC until middle imperial times.[25] Cretan containers also were popular for the transportation of wine and can be found around the Mediterranean from Augustan times until the 3rd century AD.Other types from the eastern Mediterranean (Gaza), such as the so-called Late Roman 4, became very popular between the 4th and the 7th century AD, while Italic productions ceased.[27] Some modern winemakers and brewers use amphorae to provide a different palate and taste to their products from those that are available with other aging methods.