Greek Coin Pack - Trade

Product History

Corinth, Silver Didrachm. It depicts the flying horse, Pegasus, and Athena whose magic bridle helped tame him. Such 'colts' were struck in large numbers during the 4th century, B.C.

Metal workers, stone carvers, jewellers, shoemakers and many other craftsmen flourished in the cities of Greece. Their workshops were usually in the centre of town around the agora, or market place. There were also farmers selling their produce, moneychangers, acrobats and slaves standing on platforms waiting for a buyer. There was a great deal of trade between the city-states and the Greek colonies, as well as with other Mediterranean countries. Oil, wine, pottery and metal work were the main exports.

The best Greek pottery was made in Athens. Athenian potter worked in a potters' quarter known as the kerameikos. From the early to mid 6th century B.C. the black-figure technique - black silhouette figures painted in a refined clay solution on the reddish clay background - was the main way of decorating pots. Soon after 500 B.C. the red-figure technique took over.

Front Image - A helmet-maker at work taken from a red-figure pottery drinking cup, 5th century B.C.

Product Information