Ancient Sicily That Sings

This lekythos with a woman lute player depicted on it was found in a tomb at Selinunte. Lekythoi (plural) were vases used to store oils for use in the gymnasium or bath or for funerary functions. Note the red-figure. This was an Athenian-style technique specific to the 5th century BCE.

Ancient Oil Carafe

This vessel is called a lekythos. I photographed it in the civic museum of Castelvetrano, which houses some of the artifacts unearthed from the nearby archaeological site of Selinunte. Lekythoi (plural of lekythos) were used by ancient Greeks to store oil, most often, olive oil. It’s appropriate to see this beautiful one from the beginning…