Jan 26: The Long History of an Ancient Greek Wine Vessel, with Dr. Evan Freeman

Krater Motif in the Hagia Sophia

Join us January 26, 2026, at 7:30pm, at 4500 Arbutus Street - Upper Hall.

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 Divine Wisdom (Hagia Sophia), appearing not only as a decorative motif but also as a ritual object within churches. This talk explores the enduring legacy and changing significance of the ancient Greek krater, 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.