panathenaic amphora
A very large vessel, with a short thin neck, and a swelling body which tapers sharply at the base, and has a small foot-disc. History: It appears from about 560 B.C. down to the second century B.C. Amphorae of this type were awarded to winners of events at the quadrennial Panathenaic Games, held in Athens in honor of that city's patron goddess, Athena. Painted with black-figure decoration, the only form of black figure to endure long after both black-figure and red-figure painting had declined, they frequently depict events in the games on the reverse side with Athena appearing on the obverse side. In time the shape, decoration , and especially the figure of Athena undergoes changes, which aids in the dating of these vessels. Gradually the neck and the body grow more attenuated. True prize amphorae bear the inscription painted on before firing: " one of the prizes from the games at Athens." There are numerous vases of the same shape, similar size, and decorated in a like manner, but without the inscription. Frequently these vases depict events such as the foot-races, horse-races, chariot-races, and boxing on the earliest example. During the last quarter of the sixth century events such as the discus, javelin, jumping, foot-race, and wrestling appear. Special events such as the races in armour (hoplitodromoi) appear after 400 B.C. Term: Amphorae of this type were awarded to winners of events at the quadrennial Panathenaic Games, hence their modern name.
- Amphora
- Early Type B amphora
- Neck amphora
- Nikosthenic amphora
- Nolan amphora
- Pelike
- Pointed amphora
- Protoattic neck amphora
- Type A amphora
- Type B amphora
- Type C amphora
- Tyrrhenian amphora
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