Dr Gillian Shepherd (Mediterranean Studies, La Trobe University) on the Tomb of the Diver.

The Tomb of the Diver is an important 5th century BC grave found near the ancient Greek city of Poseidonia (Paestum) in southern Italy. It is a grave made of five painted slabs forming the four walls and the roof of the tomb. All five slabs were painted on the interior sides. The cover slab shows a man diving into a pool of water and it is from this scene that the tomb gets its name. The paintings on the four walls depict a scene of a symposium, an ancient Greek drinking party – this lecture takes a closer look at partying in the ancient world.

Copyright 2012 La Trobe University, all rights reserved. Contact for permissions.