Ancient Greek pottery has been an object of admiration for centuries for those involved with classical culture, particularly for art historians. The study of vases reveals constant references to other forms of art, even sculpture, while their depictions provide so much information about the world in which they were created that they can compete with the greatest works of ancient Greek literature as historical sources.

No other artistic expression of the ancient Greeks can bring us closer to the images of their daily life or reveal as clearly their perceptions of life, myth, and even politics. In this classic book, John Boardman outlines the evolution of ancient Greek pottery production, from the 10th to the 2nd century BC, a period that includes the most outstanding and valuable documentary evidence in terms of information.

He tracks the progress and evolution concerning the shapes and decoration of vases while simultaneously focusing on important themes that arise, such as the identification of creators, the methods of manufacturing and decorating vases, the daily life of the potter, and the spread of vases through trade beyond the limits of the Greek world, from Morocco to Persia and from Russia to Sudan.

The use of various types in daily life and worship, as well as their role in the dissemination of artistic trends and ideas, are also topics of the book. Boardman finally examines how the narrative technique of vase painters influenced Western art and how the representations on the vases reflect the political and social reality of the time.