Explain_the_Stages_of_a_Symposium_with_Close_and_Detailed_Reference_to_Vase_Paintings_You_Have_Studied.

Explain the stages of a Symposium with close and detailed reference to vase paintings you have studied. The symposium was an all male drinking party that was very popular during the Archaic and Classical periods. It was an aristocratic activity used to cement friendships, and each member in a group of friends would take it in turns to host this event. The participants would also take it in turns to supply the drink, although it was up to the Symposiarch to decide how fast his guests got drunk and to what extent. There was a lot of preparation involved in this event and it was almost definitely the most important part, especially if the host had to supply the alcohol for the evening. An early classical red-figure kylix by Douris shows a young man in a wine shop, dipping a sponge into a large amphora. Normally, the product would have to be tasted before an order was made, and so a ‘transport’ amphora was filled for this purpose. However, we can assume that the man is intent on making a purchase by the purse he holds in his left hand. Those taking part in the symposium would also often contribute to the festivities, as we can see in an early classical red-figure amphora by the Berlin painter. Here we can see a young man carrying a ‘transport’ amphora and, judging by his upward stance, is on his way to the party, as opposed to returning for a refill. At the location of the symposium, we assume that the special dinning room also had to be prepared quite carefully. This involved a lot of work for the host, or at least for his servants and slaves, as we can see on a Pelike painted by the Pan painter. Here we can see a slave carrying a kline, where the symposiats reclined, and a trapeza for the food and drink of the symposiats. We assume that he is moving these pieces into position in the dinning room, as the furniture was arranged around the edge of the room, with the most honoured seat being to the right of the door. As the Greeks did not drink they’re wine neat, it was up to the Symposiarch to dilute the wine to his preference before the drinking session began. We can see an example of this on a stamnos painted by Smirkos, showing two slaves with amphoras approaching a larger dinos with the intention of mixing the contents. The younger of the two slaves greets the other, who replies by bending his head, in keeping with the festive feel of the symposium on the other side of the vase. On another red-figure kylix by Douris, we have a very good example of the next and most important stage in the symposium, the actual drinking. Here we can see men reclined on their couches and slaves pouring out drink from oinochoai, both groups gesturing to their companions as they talk. The central figure, assumed to be the Symposiarch as he is more splendidly dressed than the others, raises his kylix for a refill, or perhaps to make a toast to his guests. Other elements of a symposium can also be seen, such as the trapezas used for holding the food and drink of the symposiats and the decorative wall hangings on the imaginary wall of the dinning room. Next in importance was music, provided by the flute and the lyre. Both men and women became musicians and performed at events such as symposia. Women could be part of the entertainment as musicians, dancers or hetaira, however they were never invited guests. On a red-figure kylix by Epiktetos we can see a professional dancer playing the castanets, accompanied by a young man playing a double aulos. The female is performing a very expressive dance, whereas the man is merely moving in time to the music, as we can see his himation is quite stiff. Other means of entertainment were provided by the guests themselves, such as playing games, telling stories or making speeches. The final part of the evening’s festivities saw the symposiats travelling home in a drunken state or partaking in a revel. On an amphora by Euthymides we can see the guests of a symposium going on to the revel stage of the entertainment. The figures are all older men, who appear to be dancing singly and are in no particular setting: they could still be in the dinning room or even on their way to crashing another party. The symposiats generally arrived home in high spirits, and on a red-figure oinchoe from the late classical period we can the rare scene of a symposiat actually arriving home. Though the vase is quite damaged, we can see a man hammering on the door of a beautiful house with his staff, and a woman, presumably his wife, approaching cautiously, clearly doubting whether or not she should let him in.