AgoraXVII 705 Lekythos of Amphinike and Xenokrateia

Lekythos of Amphinike and Xenokrateia

Agora XVII 705 Date: ca. 400-375 BC

Amphinik[e]. Xenokrateia.^[1] relief

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References:

Agora XVII 705 (Translated text) (PHI)

IG II² 10651 (PHI)

SEG 13.180 (PHI)

Clairmont, CAT 2.749

Agora XXXV 163

Translation by: Yao Yuan

Images: Agora Excavations - (1)

Monument type: Marble lekythos

Inscription type: Funerary

Findspot: Piraeus (Ag. I 7031)

Transliterations on Places on

[1] This is a marble funerary lekythos (see AIUK 4.6 (BM, funerary), no. 44). The relief depicts four figures: an adult female (Amphinike) seated on a chair (klismos) shaking hands with a standing female (Xenokrateia) to her right (the gesture known as dexiosis), a naked baby boy at Amphinike’s feet, reaching up to Xenokrateia, and a young girl standing at the right. The name labels of the two women are inscribed over their heads. The funerary iconography distinguishes between different ages and classes of women through the depiction of dress, hairstyles and other attributes. Mature (likely married) women such as Amphinike and Xenokrateia are commonly shown in a belted chiton. Amphinike’s hair is brushed back into a roll, while Xenokrateia draws her mantle over the back of her head. The servile status of the figure on the right is marked out by her short hair, long-sleeved chiton and by the fact that she is carrying a small chest or box. It is often difficult to determine who the deceased is in these scenes, but in this instance the fact the baby reaches out towards Xenokrateia may suggest that she died as a young mother. The iconography of children is also quite standardised in Classical funerary scenes and they tend not to be gendered by their clothing or activities until later phases.

The object is said to have been found at Piraeus on the Kallithea road in the house of Gabriel Mali (Y. Béquignon, BCH 55, 1931, 467).

Added: 24 Sep 2026
Updated: 24 Sep 2026
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ID: AIO_3921