La place des mots dans l’imagerie attique

Abstract

This paper deals with a particular aspect of Greek vase inscriptions. It first stresses their visual and grpahic dimension, next to their linguistic value; it then focusses on the use of the word ‘kalos’. This word, whose esthetic and erotic value is undisputable, has a polysemic value, when placed on an object such as a vase, a shield, a louteron or a stele. It then creates a tension between the beauty of yong boys, and the beauty added to places where this word appears.

Keywords

• attic vase-painting
• inscriptions
• kalos
• erotics
• beauty