Fragment of a terracotta skyphos (deep drinking cup) 499 BC

This fragment of a terracotta drinking cup was painted by Douris in ancient Greece. This object gives us a glimpse into the visual culture of the symposium, a social gathering of Athenian men. The red-figure technique, with its black background, allowed for detailed depictions of scenes from mythology, everyday life, and, as we see here, male bonding. The symposium was a key institution in Athenian society, reinforcing social hierarchies and political networks. These cups, decorated with scenes of revelry, were essential props in these rituals of elite male sociability. Douris's signature on other vessels allows art historians to piece together his career and workshop practices. Careful study of vase fragments, combined with literary sources and archaeological evidence, helps us understand the social and cultural contexts in which these objects were created and used. In this way, even a fragment can illuminate the world of ancient Athens.