Read About This Ancient Roman Vessel

This elegant Roman glass wine cup called a skyphos has a deep two-handled shape that was made by Greeks and Romans for hundreds of years. Most skyphoi (plural) were made of ceramic, bronze, or silver, but this Roman example is made of layered cameo glass. It has a deep blue background with white figures standing out in low relief. It’s molded to resemble cameo stone, which has natural layers of different colors. Cameo glass cups were fashionable in Rome from about 25 BCE–25 CE under the emperor Augustus and his adopted son Tiberius.

To make this cup, an artisan filled the areas of the mold that would become the raised figures with powdered white glass. When hot, semi liquid blue glass was added, and the white powder melted and fused with it. The handles and base were added separately. The original base of this cup was lost, and then replaced in modern times.

Roman drinking cups were often decorated to encourage conversation, and guests were expected to understand references to myth, religion, and literature. Ariadne, the wife of the god of wine and theater, Bacchus, appears on both sides of the cup. When Bacchus first met Ariadne she was in despair, but he saved her and made her immortal. She sits surrounded by followers and attributes (symbols) of Bacchus in a leafy outdoor setting filled with wine and music. A statuette of the goddess of nature and healing, Cybele, is nearby.

On one side of the cup Ariadne relaxes on a rocky seat with her arm thrown back in a gesture of calm or sleep. On her left, a satyr, a creature that is part human and part goat or horse, holds musical pan pipes. On her right, a woman extends a basket towards her, perhaps revealing a sacred object. On the other side of the cup, Ariadne is seated on a pile of cut stones next to an altar, near a pillar topped with the statuette of Cybele. Facing her, a woman takes a drink from a wine cup, and between them a satyr strums a stringed instrument called a lyre.

Below each handle of the wine cup hangs a mask of Silenus, a companion of Bacchus who had a small, upturned nose and wide eyes. Models of masks were often hung in Roman gardens and were likely thought to offer protection.

Look at the Skyphos from Other Angles

Questions

Write or discuss your responses.

• This fancy glass cup was made to look like carved stone with layers of different colors. Why do you think Roman artists would go through all the trouble of making glass look like stone instead of just carving it from real stone?
• The text says “Roman drinking cups were often decorated to encourage conversation, and guests were expected to understand references to myth, religion, and literature.” How is this similar to or different from how people use decorated cups or dishes at parties today?
• The cup shows the same character, Ariadne, on both sides but in different poses—one relaxed and one near an altar. Why might the artist have shown her twice doing different things instead of just once?
• Masks of Silenus hang under each handle and were thought to offer protection. Can you think of any examples where people today put symbols or images on everyday objects for protection or good luck? Describe them.
• This cup was made during a specific 50-year period when cameo glass was fashionable in Rome. Why do you think certain styles or materials become popular for a while and then go out of fashion?

Optional Activity

Listen to the audio clip to learn more about the Cameo Glass Skyphos.

A princess from Greek myths who helped the hero Theseus escape a maze using a ball of string.

A special object or symbol that helps you recognize a person or god in art (like Zeus holding a lightning bolt).

The first emperor of Rome, a powerful ruler who lived from 27 BCE to 14 CE. Augustus was also an honorific title used by all subsequent Roman emperors.

The Roman god of wine, theater, performance and celebration (Greeks called him Dionysus).

A type of decorative glass that has layers of two or more colors.

Cybele is considered the Great Mother of the Gods and was worshipped throughout ancient Turkey, Greece, and Rome.

A method of carving figures or designs so that they are raised slightly above a flat background.

A mythical creature that is part man and part goat or horse, known for loving music and fun. Satyrs were typically followers of Bacchus, who liked to drink wine or party.

A deep drinking cup with two handles used in ancient Greece.

Adopted son of the emperor Augustus who ruled after him from 14–37 CE.