Search: why are trophies shaped like cups
Why: In the "Family Guy" episode "Love Thy Trophy," the Spooner St. gang wins a Golden Clam. That got me thinking about the Stanley Cup, the World Cup, the Geller Cup, etc.
Answer: This guy found this information:
- John Wesley (founder of the Methodist Church) hosted a ritual "love feast" for church members. Superficially similar to Holy Communion, the community gathering was a simple meal of bread and water led by laypeople (rather than clergy). A large "loving cup" was created with two handles so water could easily be passed from person to person.
- Ian Pickford (from "Antiques Roadshow") suggests that the modern trophy cup was based on a two-handled "ox-eye" college cup design in the 17th century. But where did that come from?
- In the Panathenaic Games in 566 BC, one prize for special events was an amphora - a ceramic vase with two handles and a long neck - filled with oil. Among the Ancient Greeks and Romans, they were the principal means for transporting and storing grapes, olive oil, wine, olives, and grains.
The More You Know: Some Panathenaic amphorae have survived. They depicted Athena Promachos; goddess of war advancing between columns brandishing a spear and wearing the aegis. Next to her is the inscription τον αθενεθεν αθλον "(one) of the prizes from Athens." On the back of each vase was a representation of the event for which it was an award.
