Kalos inscriptions

Ancient Greek vase inscriptions that take the form of "so-and-so [is] kalos," kalos meaning handsome or beautiful, with an erotic connotation. Some such inscriptions are found on walls as well. The inscriptions are thought to indicate male homosexual love or a cult of celebrity, associated with pederastic courtships that were customary in ancient Greece; they probably reflect the emotions of the patron of the vessel rather than those of the vase painter. The names are usually those of teenage artistocratic Athenians. Those that can be associated with known historical figures have played a significant role in establishing the chronology of Attic vase painting, for they were presumably written when the named person was young. Kale inscriptions for women also exist but they are outnumbered by kalos inscriptions more than twenty to one; the women who are praised in these inscriptions were probably courtesans. The majority of kalos inscriptions are on vases produced between 550 and 450 BCE.