Pottery
An amphora is a type of ceramic vase with two handles, used for the transportation and storage of perishable goods and more rarely as containers for the ashes of the dead or as prize awards. Most were produced with a pointed base to allow them to be stacked in sand or soft ground, while those with a ring base tended to be used for domestic or votive purposes. The latter were often glazed and decorated with figures, while purely functional amphorae were plain in appearance, often distinguished only by the stamps or signatures of their owners.
Amphorae were invented by the ancient Greeks and adopted by the Romans as the principal means for transporting and storing wine, oil, olives, grain, fish, and other commodities. They were produced on an industrial scale from Greek times and used around the Mediterranean until about the 16th century. They are of great benefit to maritime archaeologists, as amphorae in a shipwreck can often indicate the age and nationality of the wreck. They are occasionally so well preserved that the original contents are still present, providing invaluable information on the eating habits and trading systems of the ancient Mediterranean peoples.
The word amphora is Latin, derived from the Greek amphoreus or amphiphoreus, a compound word combining amphi- plus phoreus ("carrier"), from pherein ("to carry").
See also
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Measure
The amphora, or amphora quadrantal was a unit for measuring liquids or bulk goods in the Roman Empire, and for estimating the size of ships and the production of vineyards. Along with other standard measures and the Roman currency, it gave an added advantage to Roman commerce. A standard amphora, the amphora capitolina, was kept in the temple of Jupiter on the Capitoline Hill in Rome. None of the standard amphorae have survived but their capacity has been estimated at about 23 litres (6 imperial gallons).
The Greek amphora measure corresponded to about 34 litres (9 imperial gallons), and was around 45 cm (18 inches) tall, but there is no known standard, as was the case for the Roman amphora.
Symbols
Amphora is also an alternative name for the @ ("commercial at") symbol.
Botany
Amphora is also a major genus of diatoms in the family Cymbellaceae, found in a wide variety of marine habitats.
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