Horses and athletic training, two of the favorite activities of privileged Athenian youths, decorate this Athenian red-figure column krater. On the front of the vase, two naked athletes work out on either side of a clothed trainer, one with a javelin and the other holding weights used in the long jump. On the back of the vase, two youths walk along leading their horses. As was typical for this shape in the early 400s B.C., a frieze of animals in the black-figure technique decorates the top of the vase's mouth.
The Greeks always drank their wine diluted, and the column krater was a vessel for mixing wine and water. A krater like this would have been used at a symposium or aristocratic drinking party, where the scenes decorating the serving vessels reflected the interests of the participants.
The Greeks always drank their wine diluted, and the column krater was a vessel for mixing wine and water. A krater like this would have been used at a symposium or aristocratic drinking party, where the scenes decorating the serving vessels reflected the interests of the participants.
Images courtesy of The Metropolitan Museum of Art (CC0)