Origin of Word Ceramic at Kerameikos Cemetery in Athens, Greece - Encircle Photos

38 Origin of Word Ceramic at Kerameikos Cemetery in Athens, Greece

The most eye-catching monument at Kerameikos Cemetery is this giant marble bull above the 4th century BC grave of Dionysios of Kollytos. Fans of etymology will be more interested to learn how the neighborhood led to the word ceramic. When the Eridanos River flowed through here, it produced an orange-red clay ideal for pottery (keramos in Greek). The community of pottery artisans was named Kerameikos and their style of elaborate painted earthenware was called keramikos (Greek for ceramic). Mythology credits Keramos (Ceramus) for lending his name. He was the lord of the Keramaikos pottery district and the mortal son of Dionysus, the god of wine.

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Origin of Word Ceramic at Kerameikos Cemetery in Athens, Greece

Ermou 150, Athina 105 53, Greece

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