A simple black-glazed wine cup that was recently recovered from a recently-discovered ancient tomb in the suburb of Kifisia appears to belong to the great Athenian politician, orator and general, Pericles!
According to a report in today’s edition of Ta Nea, the ancient tomb came to light during excavations for the foundations of a new building. The cup, which measures 8 centimeters in height, was found shattered in the tomb.
After the archeologists put the twelve shattered pieces together they were surprised to find six names inscribed on the wine cup: Aristides, Diodotos, Daesimos, Arrifron, Pericles and Efkritos.
According to a study published by the secretary of the Greek Epigraphic Society Angelos P. Mattheou, Pericles’ grandfather and older brother were both named Arrifron. As this name was rather uncommon in ancient Athens, archeologists to be «99% certain» that the wine cup belonged to the Athenian politician, rather than someone else with the same name.
Pericles, who was born in Athens in 495 BC, is one of the most prominent and revered divs of the Ancient world and reigned during the Golden Age of Athens, between the Greco-Persian and Peloponnesian Wars.
