Overview

Greek sanctuaries are among the best known archaeological sites in ancient Greece. However, after over 150 years of excavations and research we know surprisingly little about some of their aspects, such as the rituals enacted in the sanctuary, the nature of original local deities and how aspects of their character were assimilated into those of the Olympians, why sanctuaries were established in certain places, and how to determine who the sanctuary was established for when no epigraphical material is present. Artemis and Her Cult provides a first attempt to bring together archaeological and literary sources from two main Artemis sanctuaries, hoping to contribute to a clearer picture of her cult. An account of Artemis’ different characters describes her as a mother of gods, a goddess of wilderness, animals and hunt; a goddess of birth, infants and children (and young animals); as well as a goddess of youth and marriage and rites of passage. These descriptions are followed by an up-to-date account of the archaeological record of the sanctuaries of Artemis Orthia at Sparta and Artemis Ephesia at Ephesus. For the comparison the site of Athena Alea at Tegea is examined. The three accounts offer a full study of the architectural development and the range of artefacts made of different materials. The varied character is Artemis are further analysed by looking at the archaeology relating to the cult and the rites of passage taking place at the sites. The rites of passage are reconstructed by using the literary accounts.

Full Product Details

Author:   Ruth M. Léger
Publisher:   Archaeopress
Imprint:   Archaeopress Archaeology
Dimensions:   Width: 20.50cm , Height: 1.00cm , Length: 29.00cm
Weight:   0.691kg
ISBN:  

9781784915506

ISBN 10:   1784915505
Pages:   184
Publication Date:   22 March 2017
Audience:   Professional and scholarly ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

Abstract; Acknowledgements; 1. Introduction; 2. Artemis; 3. Archaeology Related to Cult Activity; 4. Common Features; 5. Cult Activity; 6. Artemis and Her Cult; Final conclusion; Bibliography; Artemis and Her Cult – Appendices: Appendix 1: A Summary of the Three Main Attic Cult Sites for Artemis; Appendix 2: Votive Objects Found at Artemis Orthia, Sparta; Appendix 3: Votive objects found at Artemis Ephesia, Ephesus; Appendix 4: Dawkins’ 1910 and 1907 Excavation Plans. Dawkins 1929; Appendix 5: Modern Overview of Artemis Orthia Site, Sparta; Appendix 6: Comparison of Dating by Dawkins and Boardman; Appendix 7: Inscription by Soixiadas Arikrateos; Appendix 8: Table of Masks Found at Artemis Orthia, Sparta; Appendix 9: Examples of the Masks from the Spartan Museum of Archaeology; Appendix 10: Wrinkled Masks: Same or Different Category?; Appendix 11: The Origin of Masks; Appendix 12: Lead Figurines; Appendix 13: Plans of the different phases of the architecture at the site of Artemis Ephesia; Appendix 14: Modern overview of Artemis Ephesia site, Ephesus; Appendix 15: Ephesian Coins (BC unless otherwise stated); Appendix 16: Artemis Ephesia Statues and their Features Tabled Based on Plate Numbers Fleischer 1973; Appendix 17: Plan of the Temple of Alea Athena, Tegea; Appendix 18: The Legend of Telephos; Appendix 19: Votive Objects Found at Alea Athena, Tegea; Appendix 20: Common features at sanctuaries of Artemis at Sparta, Ephesus, Brauron and Athena at Tegea; Appendix 21: krateriskoi depicting clothed females; Appendix 22: krateriskoi depicting naked females; Appendix 23: krateriskoi depicting musical instruments; Appendix 24: krateriskos showing a bear-like figure

Reviews

These conclusions make the volume of the Leger very appreciable not only in a perspective of historical-archaeological studies, but also historical-religious. --Bryn Mawr Classical Review (07/01/2019)

'Overall, [Leger] sets a fine pattern for archaeological studies on other deities that may be envisaged in the future.'  -- Garry W. Trompf * Ancient West & East *

Author Information

Ruth Léger's love for ancient culture started with the subjects of Latin and Greek at secondary school. After a BA and MA degrees at the Universiteit Utrecht, she moved to Birmingham to pursue her PhD. This book is the result of her research in the Department of Classics, Ancient History and Archaeology under supervision of Dr K.A. Wardle, and is a starting point for mapping out sanctuaries and their history throughout the Greek world.

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