The aim of this study is to analyse and interpret the distribution of white-ground lekythoi with a known context from the 5th century BCE. Exploring white-ground lekythoi in context is a complex matter, as many lekythoi lack archaeological documentation. The purpose of this study is to locate and map white-ground lekythoi with available archaeological documentation in order to lay the groundwork of their geographical distribution and interpret how they were used and could have been viewed from a socio-economic perspective in different regions. The study has shown that white-ground lekythoi were distributed throughout the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Levant, and have been found in various contexts such as funerary, domestic and religious space depending on the region. The chronological distribution indicates that white-ground lekythoi were popular in locations such as Eretria, Gela and Macedonia, before becoming adopted in Attic funerary activities during the second half of the century. This suggests a more multifunctional use of the vessel than only being a funerary libation vessel which is the traditional scholarly approach to the vessel’s function. Lastly, this thesis addresses the value of white-ground lekythoi. The hypothesis is put forward that the vessels increased in value when being found in limited numbers and with what could be considered luxurious artefacts made for both a local and foreign market. / Målet med denna studie är att analysera och tolka fördelningen av vit-grundiga lekyter med en känd kontext från 500-talet f.v.t. Undersökningar av vit-grundiga lekyter med en känd kontext är en komplex fråga då många av kärlen saknar arkeologisk dokumentation. Syftet med studien är att lokalisera och kartlägga vit-grundiga lekyter med tillgänglig arkeologisk dokumentation för att lägga grunden för deras geografiska utspridning och tolka hur de användes och kunde ha blivit sedda från ett socio-ekonomiskt perspektiv i olika regioner. Studien har visat att vit-grundiga lekyter distribuerades över Medelhavet, Svarta havet och Levanten och har hittats i olika kontexter som gravar, bosättningar, och helgedomar beroende på region. Den kronologiska fördelningen indikerar att vit-grundiga lekyter var populära i områden som Eretria, Gela och Makedonien, innan de antogs i Attiska begravningsaktiviteter under andra hälften av seklet. Detta tyder på en mer multifunktionell användning av kärlen än enbart ämnat för begravningsaktiviteter som är den traditionella vetenskapliga tolkningen av kärlets funktion. Hypotesen framförs att vit-grundiga lekyter ökade i värde när de hittades i begränsat antal och tillsammans med vad man som kan betraktas som lyxiga artefakter gjorda för både en lokal och utländsk marknad.

This study analyses visible artefacts depicted on Athenian white-ground funerary lekythoi from between 475 to 425 BCE, to investigate what the iconographic information of the artefacts can tell us about the funerary activity and how the information relates to the written sources from antiquity. The purpose of this study is to gain a more in-depth view of the Athenian funerary activities, of which we currently have limited knowledge of. The activates surrounding an Athenian funeral is a complex matter consisting of several stages of preparation and visits to the grave. However, when we are looking at the funerary images, it is difficult to determine what stage of the burial culture we are observing, which is what this study sets out to answer. The study uses a theoretical framework in viewing the vase images as a “scene of an idea” rather than a “scene from reality” where expressions of ideas and notion are what is on display on the white-ground lekythos. The study has analysed the visible artefacts from 252 Athenian white-ground lekythoi and thematically grouped them, then with an iconographical method analysed the meaning and representation of the visible artefacts and how they relate to the written sources.  The study has resulted three main conclusions. Firstly, a possible identification of a funerary activity when observing the number and detailed work of the artefacts illustrated by the painter. Secondly, the importance of maintaining a good relationship between the living and the dead. Thirdly, the contemporary events involving the Athenian administrative changes implanted by Solon and how it could have affected the way the Athenians illustrated their funerary scenes.

This study analyzes the appearance of the myth of Heracles and the Nemean lion on a lekythos from the Uppsala University Museum Gustavianum collection in Uppsala. The lekythos is a small oil vessel generally associated with fifth century B.C. burials. Heracles and the Nemean lion’s commonly found depiction in this context is not obvious on a superficial level, requiring further analysis to answer the question how the motif can be related to the object’s specific context. To investigate the complex relationship between myth and object the study uses the theoretical approach of a myth’s depiction on object’s being highly relevant to how the myth is viewed and consumed, being determined by its context and observer. The thesis approaches the individual artifact through an iconographic analysis and analyzes additional black-figure lekythoi produced between 550–475 B.C. to establish a chronological context of progression in the motif. The study uses ancient literary sources to further establish a societal context. Through the analysis the examination can determine a probable date of the lekythos and a context surrounding its production. Furthermore, the study concludes that the relevance of Heracles is partly based on his relevance in society overall and his role as a figure representing the male ideal and immortality.