amphora

amphŏra, ae (gen. plur. as a measure, usually amphorūm, v infra, II.; cf. Charis. p. 41 P.), f.,

• = ἀμφορεύς, a vessel, usually made of clay, with two handles or ears; for liquids, esp. wine, a flagon, pitcher, flask, bottle, jar, etc.; cf. Smith, Dict. Antiq.
• I Lit.: amphoras implere, Cato R. R. 113, 2: amphora coepit Institui, Hor. A. P. 22; so id. C. 3, 8, 11; 3, 16, 34; Petr. 34 al.— Also for holding wine: amphora vini, Vulg. 1 Reg. 1, 24; ib. Dan. 14, 2; oil: amphorae oleariae, Cato R. R. 10, 2; honey: aut pressa puris mella condit amphoris, Hor. Epod. 2, 15; water: amphoram aquae portans, Vulg. Luc. 22, 10.—Poet. for the wine contained therein, Hor. C. 3, 28, 8.—
• II Transf.
• • A A measure for liquids (also called quadrantal; cf. Fest. p. 258 Müll.), = 2 urnae, or 8 congii, etc. = 6 gals. 7 pts.: in singulas vini amphoras, Cic. Font. 5, 9; Plin. 9, 30, 48, § 93. Since such a measure was kept as a standard at the Capitolium, amphora Capitolina signifies an amphora of the full measure, Capitol. Max. 4.—
  • B The measure of a ship (as the ton with us): naves, quarum minor nulla erat duūm milium amphorūm, Lentul. ap. Cic. Fam. 12, 15, 2; Plin. 6, 22, 24, § 82: navem, quae plus quam CCC. amphorarum esset, Liv. 21, 63.

amphora (später amfora), ae, f. (ἀμφορεύς, zsgz. aus ἀμφιφορεύς v. ἀμφι-φέρω), I) ein großes zylinderförmiges, meist aus Ton ( Hor. art. poët. 21. Cael. Aur. chron. 3, 2, 23), doch auch aus Glas (dah. vitrea, Petr. 34, 6), sogar einmal aus dem Onyx ( Plin. 36, 59) verfertigtes Gefäß mit spitz zulaufendem unterem Ende, um es in die Erde od. in die Löcher des abacus (s.d. no. III) stecken zu können, oben mit einem engen Halse u. zwei Henkeln zum Tragen, mit einem Kork (cortex od. suber) verschlossen u. dieser wieder mit Pech od. Gips versiegelt ( cortex astrictus pice, amphorae diligenter gypsatae), die Amphora, der Krug, gew. zum Aufbewahren des Weins, nachdem er in den doliis gehörig gegoren hatte ( Procul. dig. 33, 6, 15; dann bezeichnet mit den Konsuln, unter denen sie gelagert waren, an den gläsernen auf pittacia, tesserae; vgl. Orelli Hor. carm. 3, 21, 1), oft b. Cato, Hor. u.a.: meton. (poet.) für »Wein«. Hor. u. Mart. – zum Aufbewahren des Honigs, Cic. u. Hor.: des Öls, olearia, Cato: des geschmolzenen Metalls, Nep. – zum Aufbewahren eines Leichnams als Sarg (dah. in der Mitte aufgeschnitten u. nach Hineinlegen des Leichnams wieder zusammengefügt), Prop. 4, 5, 75. – auch als großes Uringefäß mit einem mehr trichterförmigen Halse in Sackgäßchen u. Durchgängen zum Gebrauch für die Vorübergehenden aufgestellt, C. Titius b. Macr. sat. 2, 12 (3, 16), 15. – amphorae sparteae, mit zwei Handhaben versehene Körbe aus Pfriemgras, zum Aufbewahren der Weintrauben, Cato r.r. 11, 2. – II) übtr., 1) als Maß für Flüssigkeiten (auch quadrantal gen.) = 2 urnae od. 8 congii od. 48 sextarii = rund 20 Liter, u. 5 amphorae = rund 100 Liter, Cic. u.a. – amphora Capitolina, die auf dem Kapitol als Normalmaß aufgestellte geeichte Amphora, Capitol. Maximin. 4, 1. – 2) als Gewicht, zur Bestimmung der Größe eines Schiffes, wie unser Tonne, da die amphora im allg. 80 röm. Pfund wiegen sollte (hier meist Genet. Plur. amphorum, s. Charis. 56, 4 sqq.; 100, 14 sqq. Diom. 304, 26; vgl. Neue-Wagener Formenl.³ Bd. 1. S. 32 u. 33: naves onerariae, quarum minor nulla erat duum milium amphorum, Lentul. in Cic. ep.: magnitudo (navium) ad terna milia amphorum, Plin.: navis plus quam trecentarum amphorarum, Liv. – ➳ Die Schreibung ampora verworfen von Prob. app. (IV) 199, 17.

amphora [CL < ἀμφορεύς] , liquid measure cf. 1 ambra; b vessel (esp. hooped vessel of wood or leather). anfora quattuor modios tenet GlC A 585; c805 (12c) dent ‥ x anforas de melle CS 324; amfora, sester Ælf. Gl.; abbas ‥ debet mittere ad Ecclesiam Christi xxx panes tales ‥ et iii amphoras plenas ii de meda et tertiam de cervisa Dom. Cant. 1 (cf. Thorne 1804); s1194 similiter et de batis vel ~is seu metretis vulgo galones [rex] legitime jussit fieri mensure Itin. Ric. VI 38 p. 448; ~a ab ansis est vocata, quibus hinc inde levatur; et recipit frumenti vel vini modios ytalicos tres. cadus est ~a continens tres urnas Bart. Angl. XIX 125.  b anfora, crocca Ælf. Gl.; 1286 debuisset haurire aquam cum quadam †ansera [? l. anfora] Rec. Norw. I 216; 1448 J. Couper pro factura unius nove ~e et R. Smyth pro ligatura ferrea ejusdem Ac. Durh. 275; 1454 iij ~e de corrio et iiij de ligno Ib. 148; ~a, tankard WW.

amphŏra, (11) æ, f. (ἀμφορεύς), amphore [récipient utilisé surtout pour les liquides] : Cato Agr. 113, 2 ; Hor. Epo. 2, 15 ; Col. Rust. 12, 40 || [mesure pour les liquides]: Cic. Font. 9 ; Plin. 9, 93 || [tonnage dʼun navire] : Lentul. Fam. 12, 15, 2 ; Plin. 6, 82.

➳ gén pl. amphorum Lentul.

amphora , ae. f.
罐子。

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amphora ae (genplur., in common lang., amphorūm), f

• , ἀμφορεύς, a large oblong vessel for liquids, with a handle on each side, flask, jar, flagon, pitcher: amphora coepit institui, H.: deripere horreo amphoram, i. e. the wine, H.—Meton., an amphora (a liquid measure, nearly equal to 7 galls. Engl.): vini.—Ships were measured by amphorae, as with us by tons: navem, quae plus quam trecentarum amphorarum esset, L.

AMPHORA

AM´PHORA(ἀμφορεύς, old form ἀμφιφορεύς, Horn. Il. 23.107; Od. 2.290, &c.; Schol. in Apollon. 4.1187; Simon. in Anth. Pal. 13.19).

1. A large vessel, which derived its name from its being made with a handle on each side of the neck (from ἀμφί, on both sides, and (φέρω, to carry), whence also it was called diota, that is, a vessel with two ears (δλωτος, δίωτος στάμνος or κάδισκος, Plat. Hipp. Maj. p. 288 D; Ath. 11. p. 473 c; Moeris, s. v. ἀμφορέα; Hor. Carm. 9, 8). The form and size varied, but it was generally made tall and narrow. and terminating in a point, which could be let into a stand (ἐγγυθήκη,

incitega) or into the ground, to keep the vessel upright; several amphorae have been found in this position in the cellars at Pompeii. The above cut represents amphorae in the British Museum.

The usual material of the amphora was earthenware (Hor. de Arte Poët. 21), whence it was also called testa (Carm. 1.20, 2): but Homer mentions them of gold and of stone (Il. 23.92; Od. 24.74, 13.105); and in later times glass amphorae were not uncommon (Petron. 34); several have been found at Pompeii. Nepos mentions, as a great rarity, amphorae of onyx, as large as Chian cadi (ap. Plin. Nat.36.59). The name of the maker, or of the place of manufacture, was sometimes stamped upon them: this is the case with two in the Elgin collection. [FICTILE]

Amphorae were used for the preservation of various things which required careful keeping, such as wine, oil, honey, grapes, olives, and other fruits (Hom. Il. 23.170; Cato, R. R, 10.2; Colum. R. R. 12.16, 47; Hor. Epod. 2.15; Cic. Ver. 4.7. 4); for pickled meats (Xen. Anab. 5.4.28); and for molten gold and lead (Hdt. 3.96; Nepos, Hann. 9). There is in the British Museum a vessel resembling an amphora, which contains the fine African sand used by the athletae. It was found, with seventy others, in the baths of Titus, in 1772. Respecting the use of the amphora in the streets of Rome, see Petron. 70, 79; Propert. 4.5, 73; Macrob. Sat. 2.12; and the commentators on Lucretius (Lucr. 4.1023. Homer and Sophocles mention amphorae as used for cinerary urns (Il. 23.91, 92; Soph. Fr. 303, Dind.); and a discovery was made at Salona, in 1825, which proves that they were used as coffins: the amphora was divided in half in the direction of its length to receive the corpse, and the two, halves were put together again and buried in the earth: the skeletons were found still entire. (Steinbüchel, Alterthüm. p. 67.) Amphorae of particular kinds were used for various other purposes, such as the amphora nasiterna for irrigation (Cato, Agr. 11.3), and the amphora spartea, which was perhaps a wicker amphora for gathering grapes in (ibid. § 2. Cf. Becker-Göll, Gallus, 3. p. 399 foll.).

The most important employment of the amphora was for the preservation of wine: its use for this purpose is fully described under VINUMThe following woodcut, taken from a painting on the wall of a house at Pompeii, represents the mode of filling the amphora from a wine-cart.

There is an interesting account of the use of the amphora among the Egyptians, in Sir G. Wilkinson's Ancient Egyptians, vol. ii. pp. 157-160.

The amphorae intended for purposes of decoration were furnished with a base, and were generally adorned with figures representing some scene from mythology or from ordinary life. They differed chiefly in the shape of the body and in the form of the handles, which were sometimes plain, sometimes ridgedorgrooved. The most ancient form is styled Egyptian; it has plain handles, and the shoulders of the vase are rounded, so as to meet the neck at meet the neck at almost right angles. The second, or archaic Greek style, is called Tyrrhene. It has a fuller body and a thicker neck, and the greatest diameter of the vase is about half its height.

To the class of decorated amphorae belong the Panathenaic amphorae, or amphorae given as prizes in the games at the Panathenaic festival and containing the holy oil. These had on one side a figure of Athene Promachos, with helmet, shield and spear, in the attitude of attack, with the inscription τῶν Ἀθήνηθεν ἄθλων εἰμί; on the other, a representation of the contest in which the prize had been gained.

The Nolan amphora excels in simplicity and purity of design, as well as beauty of execution. It has red figures, on the black ground of the vase. It is slighter and more elegant than the forms already described. It is found not only at Nola, but in Sicily and Etruria. (For details, see Dennis, Etruria, vol. i. p. cix.)

2. The name amphora was also applied both by the Greeks and the Romans to a definite measure of capacity, which, however, was different among the two peoples, the Roman amphora being only two-thirds of the Greek ἀμφορεύς. In both cases the word appears to be an abbreviation, the full phrase being in Greek ἀμφορεὺς μετρητής (the standard amphora), and in Latin amphora quadrantal (the cubic amphora). ( Quadrantal vocabant antiqui amphoram, Fest. p. 258.) Respecting the measures themselves, see METRETES, QUADRANTAL. At Rome a standara amphora, called amphora Capitolina, was kept in the temple of Jupiter on the Capitol (Rhemn. Fann. de Pond. 61; Capitol. Maxim. 4). The size of ships was estimated by amphorae (Cic. Fam. 12.1. 5; Liv. 21.63); and the produce of a vineyard was reckoned by the number of amphorae, or of culei (of twenty amphorae each), which it yielded.

[P.S] [W.S]

Amphŏra

(ἀμφορεύς). A two-handled, big-bellied vessel, usually of clay, with a longish or shortish neck, and a mouth proportioned to the size, sometimes resting firmly on a foot, but often ending in a blunt point, so that in the store-room it had to lean against the wall or be sunk in sand, and, when brought out for use, to be put in a basket, wine-cooler, or hollow stand.

It served to keep oil, honey, and more especially the wine drawn off from the big fermenting vats. It was fastened with a clay stopper, plastered over with pitch, loam, or gypsum, and had a ticket stating the kind, the year, and the quantity of the wine it contained. The Greek ἀμφορεύς was a large liquid measure holding nearly nine gallons (see Metretes); the Roman measure called amphora held six gallons and seven pints. See Vinum.

amphora Amphorae

A two-handled vase with a narrow neck used for storage or transport. This vessel shape is common in both plain and decorated wares. Transport amphorae are large undecorated vessels, often with pointed bases. Attic decorated wares favor the amphora shape and many subdivisions of the type have been identified.

Term: The word is Greek, and is apparently the ancient name for this vessel.

• Aristoph. Pl. 807: "The amphorae are full of red and fragrant wine."
• Eur. Cycl. 327: "drinking a whole amphora of milk."
• Xen. Anab. 5.4.28: "They found pickled slices of dolphin in amphorae."

types of amphorae
• One-piece amphorae:
  • Type A amphora
  • Early Type B amphora
  • Type B amphora
  • Type C amphora
  • Neck amphorae:
    • Nikosthenic amphora
    • Nolan amphora
    • Panathenaic amphora
    • Pointed amphora
    • Protoattic neck amphora
    • Tyrrhenian amphora

Other
• Pelike
• Column krater
• Hydria
• Loutrophoros
• Psykter
• Stamnos

amphora

History: The large neck amphora of the late seventh century is derived from the Protoattic shape and continues to be a popular shape, though in a much smaller version, in both black and red figure pottery. The earliest examples of the type A amphora vary as to the shape of the foot and the mouth, always undergoing remodelling and refinement. The usual form in the first half of the sixth century has a small egg-shaped body, tapering at the foot. There are simple cylindrical handles looped from the shoulder to the mid-neck. Soon after the mid-century, the common form has triple-reeded handles , and the body's center of gravity is a bit higher. But once the shape was evolved and became standardized, the lip was echinus-shaped and the foot torus. It enjoyed great popularity during the late period of black figure, lasting from the second quarter of the sixth century down to about 440 B.C.

A more elaborate version of the older neck-less amphora, Type B, is the Type A. This shape appears about 550 B.C. and lasts to about 450 B.C. It is thought that the potter Exekias was responsible for the development of this shape (he worked on both neck-less and neck amphorae). The lip is distinctly concave, and the neck and the shoulder are slightly longer. The belly is less tense than that of the Type B amphora. The strap handles have flanges and decorated edges (usually an ivy tendril). The foot is in two degrees, the lower with a convex profile and the upper with a vertical edge. There is a fillet between the foot and the base of the body. The decoration consists of two panels, one on the front, and one on the reverse, of the vases. They are set a bit lower on the body than on the Type B amphora. Sometimes a palmette appears in a reserved zone below each handle.

• Amphora
• Neck amphora
• Protoattic neck amphora
• Early Type B amphora
• Nikosthenic amphora
• Nolan amphora
• Panathenaic amphora
• Pelike
• Pointed amphora
• Type B amphora
• Type C amphora
• Tyrrhenian amphora

amphora

A variation of the neck-less amphora, characterized by a continuous curve from lip to foot.

Shape: It is characterized by a straight or slightly concave lip, an inverted echinus foot, and plain cylindrical looped handles, which reach from the sloping shoulder to the middle of the neck.

History: A variation of the one-piece amphora, Type B was introduced by 610 B.C. , and is the earliest in the sequence with this series of amphorae which form a continuous curve from the lip to the foot. The decoration was confined to the two panels, one on the front and one on the reverse of the vase. Above these panels appears a floral chain. Above the foot is a reserved frieze which contains a band of rays. It lasts to the third quarter of the fifth century B.C.

• Amphora
• Early Type B amphora
• Neck amphora
• Nikosthenic amphora
• Nolan amphora
• Panathenaic amphora
• Pelike
• Pointed amphora
• Protoattic neck amphora
• Type A amphora
• Type C amphora
• Tyrrhenian amphora

amphora

A variation of the neck-less amphora, characterized by a continuous curve from lip to foot.

Shape: The shape is similar to Type B , but with a convex (rolled) lip, and either a torus or an inverted echinus foot.

History: This form is especially popular in the third quarter of the sixth century with the black-figure painter known as the Affecter, who also paints neck amphorae. The shape continues in red-figure pottery from about 520 to 450 B.C. In black-figure the decoration is confined to the two panels which appear on the front and the reverse of the vessel. Sometimes the zone above the foot-disc is reserved and contains a band of upright rays. In red-figure, the panel is abandoned in favour of a figure placed in silhouette against the black ground of the body of the vessel.

• Amphora
• Neck amphora
• Early Type B amphora
• Nikosthenic amphora
• Nolan amphora
• Panathenaic amphora
• Pelike
• Pointed amphora
• Protoattic neck amphora
• Type A amphora
• Type B amphora
• Tyrrhenian amphora