56. External relationships, 580-450 BCE

This chapter deals with the importation of Attic pottery, which set in with transport amphorae of the SOS type shortly before the middle of the seventh century BCE, and which are found exclusively in particularly rich burials such as the Regolini-Galassi tomb in Caere. Around 600, the pottery imported from Athens gradually rose in both quantity and quality (fine wares appeared for the first time), and from the second quarter of the sixth century onward it dominated the entire Italian-and specifically the Etruscan-market. Since the beginnings of the importation of Attic vases were recently studied, this need not be discussed here. This chapter looks more closely at certain aspects of the peak period of Attic importation, which lasted from the middle of the sixth century to the early fourth century. In addition, for selected aspects the chapter examines the situation in Greece itself.