Necrocorinthia

Necrocorinthia is a significant publication by English archaeologist Humfry Payne, released in 1931. This work meticulously gathered and categorized a vast amount of information concerning archaic vase painting and other arts from Corinth.1

The book is closely tied to the Proto-Corinthian style of Greek pottery, which flourished in Corinth around 725–600 BCE. This style is known for its miniature size and the use of black-figure painting, where figures are depicted as black silhouettes with incised details. Common motifs include processions of animals and human figures, often drawing from Middle Eastern influences. The aryballos, a small bottle for scents or oils, is a frequently found shape in this style.23

The term "necropolis" itself refers to an extensive burial place, a "city of the dead," typically located outside ancient cities. Payne's Necrocorinthia thus provides crucial insights into the artistic and funerary practices of ancient Corinth during its archaic period.41