Amphora

Amphorae on display in Bodrum Castle, Turkey

Greek amphora, showing the goddess Athena

In Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome, amphoras were used to transport liquids or grain. Amphores had two handles, used for carrying. Amphoras existed in different sizes, between 5 litres and 50 litres. They were made of clay, or metal. Cargo ships for liquids were full of amphorae.

Most of the amphoras that now exist were made in old times of Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. However, many were made long before then. Some amphoras date from as far back as 4500 BCE. Some varieties have been found in ancient China.

Amphora Media

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  Silver amphora-rhyton with zoomorphic handles, c. 500 BC, Vassil Bojkov Collection (Sofia, Bulgaria)

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  Dressel 1B type amphoraKey : 1: rim; 2: neck; 3: handle; 4: shoulder;
  5: belly or body; 6: foot

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  Amphora found in Banpo (China), made by the Yangshao culture; 5000–3000 BC; Guimet Museum (Paris)

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  Large late Geometric Attic amphora; 725–700 BC; Louvre (Paris, France)

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  Miniature Roman Holy Land 1st–3rd century AD lead pilgrim's votive amphora "Ampulla"

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  Panathenaic prize amphora for runners; c. 530 BC; terracotta; height: 62.2 cm (24¹⁄₂ in.); Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York City)

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  Greek amphora; 2nd half of the 2nd century BC; glass; from Olbia (Roman-era Sardinia); Altes Museum (Berlin)