In the material culture of classical antiquity, a patera (Latin pronunciation: [ˈpatɛra]) or phiale (Ancient Greek: φιάλη [pʰi.á.lɛː])[2] is a shallow ceramic or metal libation bowl. It often has a bulbous indentation (omphalos, "belly button") in the center underside to facilitate holding it, in which case it is sometimes called a mesomphalic phiale. It typically has no handles, and no feet.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/da/Armazi%C5%9Fkevi_taba%C4%9F%C4%B1.jpg/220px-Armazi%C5%9Fkevi_taba%C4%9F%C4%B1.jpg)
Although the two terms may be used interchangeably, particularly in the context of Etruscan culture, phiale is more common in reference to Greek forms, and patera in Roman settings.[3] The form should be distinguished from a drinking cup with handles, which is a kylix, and a circular platter with a pair of C-handles is not a patera, though a few paterae have single long straight handles.
Use
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Naiskos_libation_Ganymedes_Painter_MAN.jpg/190px-Naiskos_libation_Ganymedes_Painter_MAN.jpg)
Libation was a central and vital aspect of ancient Greek religion, and one of the simplest and most common forms of religious practice.[4] It is one of the basic religious acts that define piety in ancient Greece, dating back to the Bronze Age and even prehistoric Greece.[5] Libations were a part of daily life, and the pious might perform them every day in the morning and evening, as well as to begin meals.[6] A libation most often consisted of mixed wine and water, but could also be unmixed wine, honey, oil, water, or milk.[7]
The form of libation called spondē is typically the ritualized pouring of wine from a jug or bowl held in the hand. The most common ritual was to pour the liquid from an oinochoē (wine jug) into a phiale.[8] Libation generally accompanied prayer.[9] The Greeks stood when they prayed, either with their arms uplifted, or in the act of libation with the right arm extended to hold the phiale.[10] After the wine offering was poured from the phiale, the remainder of the contents was drunk by the celebrant.[11]
In Roman art, the libation is shown performed at an altar, mensa (sacrificial meal table), or tripod. It was the simplest form of sacrifice, and could be a sufficient offering by itself.[12] The introductory rite (praefatio) to an animal sacrifice included an incense and wine libation onto a burning altar.[13] Both emperors and divinities are frequently depicted, especially on coins, pouring libations from a patera.[14] Scenes of libation and the patera itself commonly signify the quality of pietas, religious duty or reverence.[15]
- Etruscan priest with phiale (2nd century BC)
- Silver patera from Hispania (Roman Spain), 2nd–1st century BC)
- Patera with Marcus Aurelius (Georgia, 2nd century AD)
- Roman priest, capite velato (2nd–3rd century AD)
Architecture
In architecture, oval features on plaster friezes on buildings may be called paterae (plural).[18][19]
See also
- Parabiago patera, which is actually a platter or plate