- Amphoras commonly had a thin neck and dual handles to allow for easier transport.Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
Amphora means "to carry on both sides." This name comes from the twin handles on either sides of the neck. The urn has a wide top and curves into a thin neck. The thin neck then spreads out into a wide upper basin before forming a small, circular bottom. These bottles come in many sizes and the shape is still used in modern times. Some amphoras would even come with lids. These containers were used to transport wine and other liquids, as well as solids like grapes. - Hydria means "water," and it refers to the purposes for which the container was created, to fetch and store water. This type of pottery features a wide, oval body and a thin neck and base. Two handles are attached horizontally on either side of the body and one handle runs vertically from the top of the neck to the beginning of the base. This allowed for the basin to be dipped into the water source and carried with vertical handles, then poured using the vertical handle for support.
- The name of this bowl comes from the word meaning "mix." Krater pottery was used to dilute wine with water. The bowl has a very wide mouth and a thin base. There are two handles close to the rim of the bowl, but it was not meant to be lifted and carried once there was liquid inside the basin. A ladle would be dipped inside the krater to pull the wine out of the container and poured into a cup. It was likely common at bacchanalian parties.
- Aryballos were small pots that were shaped like a ball with a narrow neck, and were typically equipped with either one or two handles. These containers were used to hold oil for athletes and were suspended from the wrist. Some of these aryballos were sculpted so that the part of the vase that poured the contents were shaped like animals, birds, or heads. Likely, every athlete had his own aryballos to hold scented oils and perfumes to be used in the bathing houses.
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