© Koninklijke Brill NV, Leiden, 2012 DOI: 10.1163/156852511X547929 Mnemosyne 65 (2012) 401-412 brill.nl/mnem Sirens at the Symposium (Louvre E667)* Maria Pavlou University of Cyprus, Department of Classics and Philosophy, 10 Kallipoleos Avenue, Apostolides Building, Nicosia, Cyprus mpavlou04@yahoo.gr Received: February 2010; accepted: April 2010 Abstract The two wreath-bearing sirens featuring in the sympotic scene on a black-ijigure Laconian cylix in the Louvre (E667) have been the subject of much discussion and have been interpreted as symbolising either the souls of the symposiasts, or the festivity / erotic ambience of the convivial gathering. As I argue, the function of the sirens in this scene could be elucidated if seen in conjunction with the sirens’ role in Homer. Keywords sirens; symposium; forgetfulness; Louvre E667 A black-ijigure Laconian cylix in the Louvre (E667) features in its interior tondo one of the most interesting and intriguing sympotic scenes; ijive banqueters adorned with pointed beards and draped in long garments recline (on couches?) and drink wine, while four winged ijigures carrying garlands and lotus buds approach them. A boy, most likely a cup-bearer, moves towards one of the drinkers holding a garland and an oinochoê. The * ) Many thanks are due to Dr Andromache Karanika and Dr Athena Kavoulaki for encour- aging me to write the article in the ijirst place. Special thanks should go to Athena Kavou- laki who, despite her hectic schedule, kindly accepted to read and comment on an earlier version of this paper, as well as to the anonymous referee for his useful suggestions. Finally, I would like to thank Dr Despoina Tsiafakis for sending me a copy of her 2001 article on the sirens.