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Join us for our first, free lecture of 2026! The ancient Greek krater was a large, two-handled vessel used for mixing wine and water. A central object of the ancient symposium, or banquet, the krater went on to have remarkable afterlives in the Roman and medieval worlds. In Byzantium and Kyivan Rus', the krater became closely associated with DivineWisdom (Hagia Sophia), appearing not only as a decorative motif but also as a ritual object within churches. From Constantinople to Kyiv and Novgorod, kraters appeared in churches as part of broader efforts by emperors and princes to fashion themselves after the wise biblical king Solomon. This talk explores the enduring legacy and changing significance of the ancient Greek krater in Byzantium and Kyivan Rus', showing how a vessel from classical antiquity became a powerful religious and political symbol for medieval Christians.
Dr. Evan Freeman is an Assistant Professor and Hellenic Canadian Congress of BC Chair in Hellenic Studies at Simon Fraser University.
We hope to see you there!
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Hellenic Community of Vancouver, 4492 Arbutus St, Vancouver, BC V6J 4A2, Canada
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.
