BLACK FIGURE OIL LAMP CLV05800PH109.2

Greek handmade red figure oil lamp, museum copy.

Depicts a scene from a symposium.

In ancient Greece the banquet (plus + drink) was a widespread custom. A gathering of friends, or a party as we would say today. In some of them, the participants contributed either financially, or with food, which were called "contributions".

The symposium (a word meaning "gathering of people who drink") was one of the most popular ways of entertaining the Greeks. It consisted of two stages: the first part was devoted to food, which was generally modest, and the second to the consumption of drink. In fact, the ancients drank wine with the meal,

The second part started with a pound, most often in honor of Dionysus. Then the attendees discussed or played various board games, such as the kottavos. So people were lying on couches (beds), while low tables housed food and toys. Dancers, acrobats and musicians complemented the entertainment of the attendees. A "king of the banquet" who was chosen by chance undertook to indicate to the slaves the ratio of wine and water in the preparation of the drinks.