APC Image: AK 1148: Large amphora with graffiti from Y-Z. The clay is rather fine, of a reddish buff color. Decorations in reddish brown consist of horizontal bands on body, neck, and rim, double loops with crosses on the shoulders, and zigzags on the neck. The outside of the handles is covered with similar glaze. Much of the vase, including the whole base, is restored in plaster. An inscription in two lines is incised on the shoulder and body, but some of the letters are lost. The text is translated as follows: "Laphilides thinks that Agasikles, Eurykles, K--- and ---kles are utterly dull-witted." The habit on the part of the Ancient Athenians of recording on their household ware whatever feelings they had about their neighbors is well attested by graffiti found in the excavations in the Agora. Possibly the vases inscribed with these sentiments were filled with wine or some other product and presented as a gesture of contempt. The decoration on the vase is most unusual. Fortunately the contents of the cutting in which the pieces were found can be dated with accuracy to the second half of the sixth century B.C., and this date is further indicated by the letter forms. The double loop pattern without the crosses appears on vases of orientalizing ware from Delos, and Rhodes, and on sherds from Olynthos, dating from late sixth and early fifth centuries B.C. Although the decorative motifs, simple as they are, may have been borrowed from non-Attic source, the clay and glaze is so similar to that of other household ware from Athens that there seems to be no good reason for doubting its Attic origin.