Symposion

At parties called symposia, guests might take part in a singing game. They would swap verses from famous songs, or show off their skill and refinement in playing the aulos or lyre. At the same time, hosts might try to impress by hiring women to perform music. This lekythos shows a symposion. The white skin of the lyre player at the foot of the couch (now somewhat rubbed off) marks her as female. Musicians as well as hetairai—paid female companions—would entertain the men while they ate and drank. In both cases, alas, the women were subservient to the men.

For more information about this lekythos see http://uremuseum.org/cgi-bin/ure/uredb.cgi?rec=25.6.3