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

• Amphora-rhyton 17.2.jpg

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

• Amphora Dressel 1B.svg

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

• Banpo amphora.jpg

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

• Amphora Athens Louvre A512.jpg

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

• Roman Holy Land 1st-3rd century AD lead pilgrim's votive amphora "Ampulla".jpg

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

• Terracotta Panathenaic prize amphora MET GR147.jpg

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

• Hellenistic Glasamphora from Olbia Antikensammlung Berlin 3.jpg

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