Read on Twitter
1/21
I argue that 3 sets of 8c Sogdian wall paintings, which depict men drinking from rhyta, show parameters & protocols of a lively drinking game. we are going back to 8c Sogdiana & stepping into the gathering rooms of several homes in the residential district of Panjikent
BH
I argue that 3 sets of 8c Sogdian wall paintings, which depict men drinking from rhyta, show parameters & protocols of a lively drinking game. we are going back to 8c Sogdiana & stepping into the gathering rooms of several homes in the residential district of Panjikent
BH
2/21
these partygoers differ from those at a formal banquet (yesterday’s thread). The attendees sit more relaxed & turn freely to neighbors in animated conversation. The guests have more space, seated at irregular intervals w/ servants, entertainers or dishes placed about
BH
these partygoers differ from those at a formal banquet (yesterday’s thread). The attendees sit more relaxed & turn freely to neighbors in animated conversation. The guests have more space, seated at irregular intervals w/ servants, entertainers or dishes placed about
BH
3/21
at 1st glance the kaftans appear like those in a formal banquet but the range of ways in which they are styled varies: partygoers do not wear kaftans closed around the neck but have at least 1 lapel open, 2 lapels open or entirely unbutton the kaftan
BH
at 1st glance the kaftans appear like those in a formal banquet but the range of ways in which they are styled varies: partygoers do not wear kaftans closed around the neck but have at least 1 lapel open, 2 lapels open or entirely unbutton the kaftan
BH
4/21
no guest wears weaponry to a drinking party, only tool case or small purse. when a guest unbuttons 1 lapel, a cap remains on the head. unbuttoning 2 lapels corresponds with removing the cap + placing floral wreath on the head to show off a trendy undercut hairstyle
BH
no guest wears weaponry to a drinking party, only tool case or small purse. when a guest unbuttons 1 lapel, a cap remains on the head. unbuttoning 2 lapels corresponds with removing the cap + placing floral wreath on the head to show off a trendy undercut hairstyle
BH
5/21
the drinking party is also differentiated by the social activity taking place: each partygoer does not hold & drink from an individual vessel like at a formal banquet. Rather, a rhyton (or multiple!) are passed around & shared among the attendees
BH
the drinking party is also differentiated by the social activity taking place: each partygoer does not hold & drink from an individual vessel like at a formal banquet. Rather, a rhyton (or multiple!) are passed around & shared among the attendees
BH
6/21
the type of rhyton used for drinking games is usually of a truncated horn terminating in the head of a wild animal. Filling a rhyton requires 2 people: a guest in turn holds the rhyton steady & plugs the spout w/ a thumb, while a attendant could fill the rhyton from above
BH
the type of rhyton used for drinking games is usually of a truncated horn terminating in the head of a wild animal. Filling a rhyton requires 2 people: a guest in turn holds the rhyton steady & plugs the spout w/ a thumb, while a attendant could fill the rhyton from above
BH
7/21
To hold a rhyton a guest places the neck of the animal’s head into the palm of the hand w/ the 4 fingers supporting the neck of the vessel & the thumb of the same hand plugging the spout (studying surviving rhyta showed indentations for fingers to better grip the vessel!)
BH
To hold a rhyton a guest places the neck of the animal’s head into the palm of the hand w/ the 4 fingers supporting the neck of the vessel & the thumb of the same hand plugging the spout (studying surviving rhyta showed indentations for fingers to better grip the vessel!)
BH
8/21
preparing to drink from a rhyton one curled in the arm holding the animal’s mouth 10-20 cm from their own- this starting position was very humorous, nearly kissing a wild beast- reenacting this w/ the replica showed how distracting laughter from other guests could be
BH
preparing to drink from a rhyton one curled in the arm holding the animal’s mouth 10-20 cm from their own- this starting position was very humorous, nearly kissing a wild beast- reenacting this w/ the replica showed how distracting laughter from other guests could be
BH
9/21
Catching the wine in one’s mouth is the 1st step one needs to take in mere seconds; 2nd is determining when & how often to swallow the wine to allow for a continuous flow of wine; 3rd is extending the arm + one could show off by moving the thumb away from the spout
BH
Catching the wine in one’s mouth is the 1st step one needs to take in mere seconds; 2nd is determining when & how often to swallow the wine to allow for a continuous flow of wine; 3rd is extending the arm + one could show off by moving the thumb away from the spout
BH
10/21
one’s turn likely ended when all of the wine was drunk, or more often when one’s calculations were misjudged or concentration was lost & wine splashed outside of the mouth. dress & accessories reveal further parameters of the game
BH
one’s turn likely ended when all of the wine was drunk, or more often when one’s calculations were misjudged or concentration was lost & wine splashed outside of the mouth. dress & accessories reveal further parameters of the game
BH
11/21
no guest wears a garment under the kaftan at a drinking party. one can quickly undo the frogging or remove a kaftan entirely if wine splashes outside of the mouth. Despite this precaution, most guests wear light colored kaftans— a brave way to show off rhyton skills!
BH
no guest wears a garment under the kaftan at a drinking party. one can quickly undo the frogging or remove a kaftan entirely if wine splashes outside of the mouth. Despite this precaution, most guests wear light colored kaftans— a brave way to show off rhyton skills!
BH
12/21
darker colors, esp. red are forgiving, perfect for 1st-time attendees or guests content with their lack of talent. the figure on the far right of this painting holds out a model figurine demonstrating how to drink from the rhyton to a guest in dark red!
BH
darker colors, esp. red are forgiving, perfect for 1st-time attendees or guests content with their lack of talent. the figure on the far right of this painting holds out a model figurine demonstrating how to drink from the rhyton to a guest in dark red!
BH
13/21
the lapels of the kaftan at the drinking party could have been used light-heartedly as scorekeeping in the game (as opposed to the serious social distinction at a formal banquet). 2 lapels usually corresponds with light garments + a head wreath
BH
the lapels of the kaftan at the drinking party could have been used light-heartedly as scorekeeping in the game (as opposed to the serious social distinction at a formal banquet). 2 lapels usually corresponds with light garments + a head wreath
BH
14/21
As the game progresses & more alcohol is consumed, the task of catching wine in one’s mouth becomes increasingly difficult. The key to winning– or merely surviving the game– hinges on finding balance & self-restraint, so as to not become completely inebriated
BH
As the game progresses & more alcohol is consumed, the task of catching wine in one’s mouth becomes increasingly difficult. The key to winning– or merely surviving the game– hinges on finding balance & self-restraint, so as to not become completely inebriated
BH
15/21
w/ the rhyton, this is an exceptional challenge b/c one’s skill directly correlated w/ the amount of wine needed to consume– maximally the entire rhyton in a single turn! For new or unskilled guests, their clothing & seat pillows would soak up more alcohol than they did
BH
w/ the rhyton, this is an exceptional challenge b/c one’s skill directly correlated w/ the amount of wine needed to consume– maximally the entire rhyton in a single turn! For new or unskilled guests, their clothing & seat pillows would soak up more alcohol than they did
BH
16/21
As the game progressed, this natural balancing mechanism would allow for those less skilled to catch-up w/ those skilled rhyton-drinkers, whose mental & physical agility would slowly dwindle
BH
As the game progressed, this natural balancing mechanism would allow for those less skilled to catch-up w/ those skilled rhyton-drinkers, whose mental & physical agility would slowly dwindle
BH
17/21
there may have been penalties for those spilling wine: in ancient & modern games, penalties often mean drinking more. here the guest in a tawny-kaftan appears to be in such a position. he has removed his belt (throughout C. Asia, a sign of defeat) + unbuttoned his kaftan
BH
there may have been penalties for those spilling wine: in ancient & modern games, penalties often mean drinking more. here the guest in a tawny-kaftan appears to be in such a position. he has removed his belt (throughout C. Asia, a sign of defeat) + unbuttoned his kaftan
BH
18/21
this not only prevents him from using the lapels but also transforms his body. He no longer has the idealized masculine body but sits half-naked w/ a pot belly. His form is shared w/Dionysiac-like images (pos. Sogd. god Wahshu) perhaps a humorous point of drunken pride
BH
this not only prevents him from using the lapels but also transforms his body. He no longer has the idealized masculine body but sits half-naked w/ a pot belly. His form is shared w/Dionysiac-like images (pos. Sogd. god Wahshu) perhaps a humorous point of drunken pride
BH
19/21
I don’t claim that the rhyton was part of a drinking game at all occasions & certainly not for all cultures or across time. This argument reconsiders the largely unexamined ritualistic interpretation for the use of the rhyton specifically in the context of 8c Sogdiana
BH
I don’t claim that the rhyton was part of a drinking game at all occasions & certainly not for all cultures or across time. This argument reconsiders the largely unexamined ritualistic interpretation for the use of the rhyton specifically in the context of 8c Sogdiana
BH
20/21
Sogdian wall paintings decorating homes could not only depict epic narratives, religious veneration or moral didacticism, but also conviviality, fun & humor
BH
Sogdian wall paintings decorating homes could not only depict epic narratives, religious veneration or moral didacticism, but also conviviality, fun & humor
BH
21/21
Check out the full article about this Sogdian drinking game: Betty Hensellek, “A Sogdian Drinking Game at Panjikent,” Iranian Studies, volume 52, no. 5-6 (2019): 837-857.
BH https://doi.org/10.1080/00210862.2019.1667224
Check out the full article about this Sogdian drinking game: Betty Hensellek, “A Sogdian Drinking Game at Panjikent,” Iranian Studies, volume 52, no. 5-6 (2019): 837-857.
BH https://doi.org/10.1080/00210862.2019.1667224