A kantharos is an ancient Greek wine cup or bowl, with two handles that curve high above the bowl. The kantharos rests on a footed base. They were decorated in the red-figure or black-figure styles.

The Greek god of wine, Dionysus, is often pictured holding a kantharos and a thyrsos.

The word actually means "dung beetle" in Greek -- probably referring to the round curving shape of the cup, as its handles make it look like a beetle curling up into a ball.

Perhaps the high curved handles made it easier to keep hanging onto the cup as you got completely toasted.