Athenian ostraka with inscribed names

Agora Museum, Athens, Greece

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Material: Terracotta pottery sherds (ostraka)
Date range: Early 5th century BC (circa 450-430 BC)
Origin: Athens, Greece; recovered from the Kerameikos archaeological site and the earth deposit in the bed of the Eridanos river

This collection of pottery fragments represents direct evidence of Athenian democratic voting practice. The ostraka are broken pieces of ceramic vessels that citizens used as ballots in ostracism procedures, with each sherd bearing the scratched or painted name of a prominent Athenian targeted for exile.

Several sherds display distinctive cross marks or chi (X) symbols alongside or near the inscribed names. These crosses appear to serve as marking or tallying symbols, possibly indicating votes or categorization. The chi symbol, formed by two intersecting diagonal lines, appears prominently on multiple fragments and may have functioned as a voter's mark or verification symbol in the democratic process.

The large curved fragment in the center, likely from a Panathenaic prize amphora, shows Greek lettering with visible cross-hatching and geometric elements. Other sherds preserve portions of black-figure decoration with linear symbols and crosses integrated into or adjacent to the text. These markings provide evidence of how ancient Athenians processed and possibly validated their voting sherds during political proceedings.

Museum label reference: 34. From the earth deposit in the bed of the Eridanos (early 5th c. BC) sherds incised with the name of famous Athenians who were candidates for ostracism

Original Text: 34. Από επίχωση κοίτης του Ηριδανού (πρώιμος 5ος αι. π.Χ.) όστρακα με εγχάρακτα ονόματα γνωστών Αθηναίων που υπέστησαν τη δοκιμασία του οστρακισμού

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Collection of pottery sherds inscribed with names of famous Athenians used for ostracism voting, early 5th century BC

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Source:  Athens, Greece