Use and Function of Greek Bronze Vessels in indigenous Societies

In Greek craftsmanship, bronze vessels take a special position, for the value of the metal, which makes them immediately meaningful and precious: their use restricted to more rich people makes these pieces a clear expression of richness and power. In the Greek world, bronze vessels were early used during aristocratic convivial banquets and symposium, establishing a close relation between objects and their function, and were frequently dedicated as votive offerings in sanctuaries. The spread of these social practices among the indigenous societies, with which Greeks came in contact, is well attested since the Archaic period by imports of Greek bronze vessels: generally coming from funerary contexts of different indigenous areas, from Southern Italy to the Black Sea, they continue to represent wealth, power and identification with the Greek aristocratic culture and society.