You are invited to an IIHSA Online Lecture on Monday September 30, 2024 at 5.00 pm (Irish time) / 7.00 pm (Greek time)/12.00 (EST) by Eleanor Kelley (University College Dublin), Tattooed Thracian Women in Attic Pottery.

Abstract

This paper will explore the depictions of tattooed Thracian women in Attic pottery, focusing on reoccurring tattoo designs and their locations on the body. These depictions provide valuable insights into how Thracian women were perceived by the Athenians and highlight the cultural significance of tattoos in ancient Thrace. The study categorizes these scenes on Attic pottery into three distinct groups: enslaved Thracian women, free Thracian women killing Orpheus, and free Thracian women without Orpheus.

The paper will also address critical issues regarding these depictions, including the potential biases and limitations of interpreting Thracian tattoos through the lens of Attic pottery. It emphasizes the importance of avoiding the imposition of contemporary beliefs and meanings of tattoos onto ancient practices, advocating for a more nuanced approach to understanding the cultural significance of tattoos in Thracian society.

What can be gathered about the tattooing practices of Thracian women through these depictions? How do these depictions compare to the literary sources and archaeological record? What do these artistic representations reveal about Athenian views of Thracian women? Are tattoos evidence that Thracian women exercised some form of bodily autonomy? These are some of the questions I will attempt to answer in this talk, drawing on both ancient evidence and modern theories of bodily autonomy to provide new perspectives on these underrated forms of art.

Online registration via Eventbrite or contact us at irishinstitutegr@gmail.com