Kabiria Group
Encyclopedia
The term Kabiria Group describes a type of Boeotian vases
decorated in the black-figure technique. The term can also be used describe the artists producing vases of the type.
The Kabiria vases are the main style of black-figure vases from Boeotia. Their modern name is derived from the sanctuary of the Kabiria
near Thebes
, where the majority of such vases were found. They are also known from the graves of the Theban warriors fallen in the Battle of Chaironeia
in 338 BC. The shapes painted in the style are usually skyphoi
, and sometimes hemispherical kantharoi
with vertical ring handles. Some shapes, such as lebes
are totally absent, other, such as kylikes
and pyxidai
occur rarely. The vessels were produced from about 425/420 until 250 BC or a bit later. They depict cult scenes, usually caricatures of mythological
events. There are also scenes depicting the symposia that took place at the sanctuary. The type's main characteristic is the humorous and exaggerated style of painting, although it is not present on all the vases, as more serious depcitions of cult life also occur. The bulk of the vases is, in fact, decorated only with plant ornaments. Many are only painted on the front. Scholars recognise the hands of several individual artists, including the Mystai painter.
Boeotian vase painting
Boeotian vase painting was a regional style of ancient Greek vase painting. Since the Geometric period, and up to the 4th century BC, the region of Boeotia produced vases with ornamental and figural painted decoration, usually of lesser quality than the vase paintings from other areas.The Geometric...
decorated in the black-figure technique. The term can also be used describe the artists producing vases of the type.
The Kabiria vases are the main style of black-figure vases from Boeotia. Their modern name is derived from the sanctuary of the Kabiria
Cabeiri
In Greek mythology, the Cabeiri, were a group of enigmatic chthonic deities. They were worshiped in a mystery cult closely associated with that of Hephaestus, centered in the north Aegean islands of Lemnos and possibly Samothrace —at the Samothrace temple complex— and at Thebes...
near Thebes
Thebes, Greece
Thebes is a city in Greece, situated to the north of the Cithaeron range, which divides Boeotia from Attica, and on the southern edge of the Boeotian plain. It played an important role in Greek myth, as the site of the stories of Cadmus, Oedipus, Dionysus and others...
, where the majority of such vases were found. They are also known from the graves of the Theban warriors fallen in the Battle of Chaironeia
Battle of Chaeronea (338 BC)
The Battle of Chaeronea was fought in 338 BC, near the city of Chaeronea in Boeotia, between the forces of Philip II of Macedon and an alliance of Greek city-states...
in 338 BC. The shapes painted in the style are usually skyphoi
Skyphos
In classifying the pottery of Ancient Greece, a skyphos is a two-handled deep wine-cup on a low flanged base or none. The handles may be horizontal ear-shaped thumbholds that project from the rim , or they may be loop handles at the rim or that stand away from the lower part of the body...
, and sometimes hemispherical kantharoi
Kantharos
A kantharos or cantharus is a type of Greek pottery used for drinking. It is characterized by its high swung handles which extend above the lip of the pot.The god Dionysus had a kantharos which was never empty....
with vertical ring handles. Some shapes, such as lebes
Lebes
The lebes was originally a type of ancient Greek pot, a deep bowl with a rounded bottom. It needed a stand, frequently a sacrificial tripod, to remain upright. In classical times a foot was attached, and it was typically used as a mixing bowl in food preparation...
are totally absent, other, such as kylikes
Kylix (drinking cup)
A kylix is a type of wine-drinking glass with a broad relatively shallow body raised on a stem from a foot and usually with two horizontal handles disposed symmetrically...
and pyxidai
Pyxis
Pyxis is a small and faint constellation in the southern sky. Its name is Latin for a mariner's compass...
occur rarely. The vessels were produced from about 425/420 until 250 BC or a bit later. They depict cult scenes, usually caricatures of mythological
Greek mythology
Greek mythology is the body of myths and legends belonging to the ancient Greeks, concerning their gods and heroes, the nature of the world, and the origins and significance of their own cult and ritual practices. They were a part of religion in ancient Greece...
events. There are also scenes depicting the symposia that took place at the sanctuary. The type's main characteristic is the humorous and exaggerated style of painting, although it is not present on all the vases, as more serious depcitions of cult life also occur. The bulk of the vases is, in fact, decorated only with plant ornaments. Many are only painted on the front. Scholars recognise the hands of several individual artists, including the Mystai painter.