Hydria

Hydria
A hydria, c. 470–450 BC
Material	Ceramic and bronze
Size	Medium-volume container varying from 25cm to 50 cm, able to be carried by one or more people.
Writing	Painters would sometimes inscribe their name onto the hydria.
Symbols	Mythological stories were often painted onto the hydria, as well as scenes of daily life, such as the collection of water.
Created	Geometric period, archaic period, classical period Hellenistic period
Discovered	19th century
Culture	Ancient Greek

The hydria (Greek: ὑδρία; pl.: hydriai) is a form of Greek pottery from between the late Geometric period (7th century BC) and the Hellenistic period (3rd century BC).^[1] The etymology of the word hydria was first noted when it was stamped on a hydria itself, its direct translation meaning 'jug'.^[2]

It is a type of water-carrying vessel, but it had many other purposes.^[1] As time progressed the hydria developed into many forms, some of which were smaller or of a different material. These variants were decorated with detailed figures to represent Greek mythological stories, as well as scenes of daily life, providing extensive insight into Ancient Greek culture and society.