Dedication practices on the Athenian Acropolis, 8th to 4th centuries B.C
A society that regards nature as divine is constantly reminded of its dependence on the gods. It comes, therefore, as no surprise to find the sanctuary as major focus of the Greek community, in Athens literally occupying the centre of the city, the Acropolis. A central part of ancient religious life was the practice of offering gifts to the gods. The abundance of dedications on the Acropolis - which includes the full range from the simple terracotta figurines to exquisitely decorated pottery and life size marble sculpture - gives ample evidence of this. The Acropolis offers a unique opportunity to study the dedications of Athens' city sanctuary in its most important period of growth and power. The continued use of the sanctuary over centuries is not on all accounts a blessing. The history of the Acropolis and its buildings has yet to find a conclusive interpretation owing to the destruction of earlier evidence by later building phases. In Chapter II I give a brief summary of the different theories and their limits in satisfying all the evidence. The chapter is not intended as a detailed architectural study, but to establish as closely as possible when cults were introduced on the Acropolis and when building
Wagner, Claudia
Acropolis (Athens, Greece) ; Temples, Greek ; Dedication
Dedication practices on the Athenian Acropolis, 8th to 4th centuries B.C. A society that regards nature as divine is constantly reminded of its dependence on the gods. It comes, therefore, as no surprise to find the sanctuary as major focus of the Greek community, in Athens literally occupying the centre of the city, the Acropolis. A central part of ancient religious life was the practice of offering gifts to the gods. The abundance of dedications on the Acropolis - which includes the full range from the simple terracotta figurines to exquisitely decorated pottery and life size marble sculpture - gives ample evidence of this. The Acropolis offers a unique opportunity to study the dedications of Athens' city sanctuary in its most important period of growth and power. The continued use of the sanctuary over centuries is not on all accounts a blessing. The history of the Acropolis and its buildings has yet to find a conclusive interpretation owing to the destruction of earlier evidence by later building phases. In Chapter II I give a brief summary of the different theories and their limits in satisfying all the evidence. The chapter is not intended as a detailed architectural study, but to establish as closely as possible when cults were introduced on the Acropolis and when building
dedication practice athenian society regard_nature divine constantly remind dependence god come therefore surprise sanctuary major focus greek_community athens literally occupy centre city central_part ancient religious_life practice offer gift god abundance dedication include full_range simple terracotta figurine decorate_pottery life size marble sculpture give ample evidence this offer_unique opportunity_study dedication athens city sanctuary important period growth power continue_use sanctuary century account bless history building yet conclusive interpretation owe destruction earlier evidence later build phase give_brief summary different_theory limit satisfy evidence intend detailed architectural study establish closely possible cult introduce building