Panathenaic price amphoras

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Panathenaic price amphorae , also known as Panathenaic amphorae , are a special form of Attic amphorae . Filled with olive oil from the academy's gardens, they were awarded as prizes in the gymnastic (sporting) and hipster (equestrian) competitions in the great Panathenaic Mountains.

Runners in a competition on a Panathenaic prize amphora, 530 BC. Chr., Munich, Staatliche Antikensammlungen 1451

Panathenaic price amphoras were probably first used in the great panathenaic times of 566/65 BC. Chr. Awarded. This date is set because at that time the games were fundamentally redesigned. Their forerunners were possibly the horse head amphorae . The amphorae were used as prizes until the 2nd century BC. Chr. Awarded. The capacity of the vessels was standardized. It is about three liters below the assumed meter of 39.4 liters. After wars, amphorae with half or even only a third of the usual capacity were sometimes produced. The height was between 60 and 70 cm. A different number of prize amphoras was awarded for different disciplines. The winner of the chariot race got 140 amphorae, the defeated finalist in the Schildstechen got one more amphora.

The shape of the amphora combines the bulging of transport amphorae (very bulbous, short, narrow neck, tapering downwards) with the shape of the neck amphora ( Eichinus foot and mouth), which was common in the middle of the 6th century . Around 1500 amphorae were produced and awarded per festival. A single ceramics workshop was probably commissioned to manufacture it in the course of a competition. Such an order was both lucrative and prestigious for the workshop. Today about 1000 amphorae or fragments of amphorae have survived, which corresponds to about one percent of the vases actually made. The Burgon vase from the 560s BC. Chr. Is considered to be the earliest known representative of this group.

Front view of a Panathenaic price amphora, New York, Metropolitan Museum of Art L 2002.41.2: Athena

The special thing about the price amphoras is the retention of the black-figure painting style, even at a time when this had been around 500 BC. Was replaced by the red-figure style . For a long time the same picture was always shown on the front of the amphora: Athena in the Promacho type walking to the left. Since 540/30 BC This picture was supplemented by two Doric columns with roosters on top, which flank the goddess. The roosters should probably symbolize the fighting spirit. The obligatory price inscription stood vertically along the left column (“τὸν Ἀθένεθεν ἄθλον”, later “τῶν Ἀθήνηθεν ἄθλων” - “[one] of the prices from Athens”). Since around 510 BC The ceramics workshop is marked with the sign of Athena. Both the shape of the amphora and the motif on the front were demonstratively kept largely unchanged for a long time. Only in the 4th century BC There were the first major changes. The taps have now been replaced by symbols that change every year and the signs of the ceramic workshops have lost their meaning. The amphorae also have more feminine forms. Between 392/91 and 312/11 the name of the archon responsible for the production of the amphora and its filling was mentioned in inscriptions. This is why vases from this era can be precisely dated. For later times, other people are mentioned less often, such as the treasurer (Tamias) or the judge (Agonothes). Since 363/62 Athena no longer walks to the left, but to the right. As time goes on, "[the design] becomes archaistic, towards the end of the series with hybrid degenerations".

On the back of the amphora the competitions in which the prize was won are shown. The style of these drawings is different from that of the front, adapted to the respective fashion trends. Since the middle of the 5th century BC In addition to the competitions, award ceremonies are depicted since the middle of the 4th century BC. In addition there are personifications such as Niken .

Crossing the finish line at the chariot race. Pseudo-Panathenaic price amphora, approx. 500 BC Chr., Munich, Staatliche Antikensammlungen 1452

Price amphoras were found inside and outside the Greek world, which speaks for the possibility of resale. Amphoras were often consecrated as offerings in sanctuaries, in Taranto a vase was found on each of the four corners of a sarcophagus , another well-known specimen was found in the temple of Athena Chalkioikos in Sparta . For 415 BC It is known that over 100 price amphoras from the possession of Alcibiades and other hermen violators were sold for half a drachm each.

Several important Athens vase painters are known as painters of Panathenaic price amphoras, including Exekias , the swing painter , painters of the Leagros , Kuban and Hobble groups , Eucharides painters and Cleophrades painters . The assignment of amphorae by the Berlin painter and the Achilles painter is uncertain . The potter Sikelos was the first to put his name on an amphora. Once there is evidence of a favorite inscription from which the Euphiletus painter got his emergency name .

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  1. ↑ a b c Heide Mommsen: Panathenaic price amphoras. 2000, col. 230.
  2. ↑ The exact distribution system is largely known from an inscription ( Inscriptiones Graecae II² 2311).
  3. ^ Heide Mommsen: Panathenaic price amphoras. 2000, col. 229.
  4. ^ John Boardman : Black-Figure Vases from Athens. A manual. 1994, p. 183.