[The_Victor]

What amazes me about Roman amphoras is how big some of them are. 80 gallons or better. Yet the handles seem relatively small. The pottery must be stronger than I imagine to support that weight without the handles snapping off.

That brings up how the amphora were handled on the docks too. It won't stand upright by itself, so what did they do to secure them on the wharf?

It just seems cumbersome to me.

[Covenantor]

Two handles at the top end with two slaves and a third slave at the tapered end. cheap, cheap, cheap.

;>)

[TigersEye]

I have wondered the same thing but suspected that Romans at least partially solved the problem by meting out severe whippings to anyone who broke an amphora while handling it.

How many lashes would you get for spilling 80 gal. of the governor’s wine, vinegar or olive oil on the dock? lol

[Louis Foxwell]

Wide base will break more easily. A roundish container with small ends is stronger.