in Antiquity, a liquid measure among the Greeks and Romans. The Roman amphora contained 48 sestari, equal to very nearly six gallons, and the Grecian or Attic amphora contained one third more.

a large vessel used by the ancients for preserving wine, oil, fruits, &c., and so called from its usually having an ear or handle on each side of the neck, whence it was also called diota. It was commonly made of earthenware, but sometimes of stone, glass, or even more costly materials; its usual form was tall and narrow, diminishing below to a point. Homer and Sophocles mention amphorae used as cinerary urns; and a discovery made in 1825 at Salona shows that they were sometimes used as coffins. The amphora was divided lengthwise to receive the corpse, then closed and deposited in the earth, thus preserving the skeletons entire.—(Steinbüchel, Alterthum, p. 67.) The wicker baskets used in gathering the vintage were also called amphorae.