Lakaina facts for kids

This ancient lakaina from the 6th century B.C. is now at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

A lakaina (pronounced lah-KAI-nah) is a special type of pottery cup from ancient Greece. The word lakaina comes from the Greek word λᾴκαινα. If you have more than one, they are called lakainai.

These cups were mainly used for drinking. They had a unique shape, different from most other cups of their time.

What Does a Lakaina Look Like?

A lakaina is a tall cup, usually about 10 centimeters (about 4 inches) high. It has two main parts. The top part is a very tall rim, almost like a separate section. The bottom part is shaped like a cylinder.

Two handles stick out horizontally from the lower part of the cup. These handles made it easy to hold while drinking.

Where Did the Lakaina Come From?

The name lakaina tells us where this cup came from. It was first made in Sparta, a famous city in ancient Greece. Sparta was located in a region called Laconia.

An ancient writer named Athenaios wrote about the lakaina in his book, Deipnosophistai. He explained that the cup's name came from its origin in Laconia. Today, experts agree with his explanation.

Lakaina's Popularity in Sparta

In most parts of ancient Greece, people preferred shallow, wide cups for drinking. But in Laconia, the tall, beaker-like lakaina was the favorite. It was a unique choice for the Spartans.

Even though Spartans loved their lakainai, they also made simpler, shallow cups. These simpler cups were often made to be sold to other parts of Greece.

Some lakainai that still exist today were decorated by famous artists. Two of these artists are known as the Naucratis Painter and the Hunt Painter. Their work shows how beautiful these ancient drinking cups could be.

See also

In Spanish: Lácaina para niños