Hero-cult in Archaic and Classical Sparta : a study of local religion
This dissertation examines the hero-cults in Sparta in the Archaic and Classical periods on the basis of the archaeological and literary sources. The aim is to explore the local idiosyncrasies of a pan-Hellenic phenomenon, which itself can help us understand the place and function of heroes in Greek religion. Although it has long been noted that hero-cult was especially popular in Sparta, there is little known about the cults, both in terms of material evidence and the historical context for their popularity. The first, second and third chapters query the origin and development of herocults and challenge the traditional assumption that Helen, Menelaos and Hyakinthos were 'faded godsâ. They also question the Dorian Spartan adaptation of Achaian heroes for political propaganda. Instead, the evidence at the Menelaion and the worship of Agamemnon and Alexandra/Kassandra, Orestes and others who remain anonymous to us, are viewed as a local phenomenon reflective of the developing communal and social consciousness in Archaic and Classical Sparta. The fourth chapter deals with the heroisation of the recently dead in the context of the possible posthumous heroisation of the Spartan kings and other important communal
Pavlides, Nicolette A.
Classics ; Sparta
Hero-cult in Archaic and Classical Sparta : a study of local religion. This dissertation examines the hero-cults in Sparta in the Archaic and Classical periods on the basis of the archaeological and literary sources. The aim is to explore the local idiosyncrasies of a pan-Hellenic phenomenon, which itself can help us understand the place and function of heroes in Greek religion. Although it has long been noted that hero-cult was especially popular in Sparta, there is little known about the cults, both in terms of material evidence and the historical context for their popularity. The first, second and third chapters query the origin and development of herocults and challenge the traditional assumption that Helen, Menelaos and Hyakinthos were 'faded godsâ. They also question the Dorian Spartan adaptation of Achaian heroes for political propaganda. Instead, the evidence at the Menelaion and the worship of Agamemnon and Alexandra/Kassandra, Orestes and others who remain anonymous to us, are viewed as a local phenomenon reflective of the developing communal and social consciousness in Archaic and Classical Sparta. The fourth chapter deals with the heroisation of the recently dead in the context of the possible posthumous heroisation of the Spartan kings and other important communal
hero cult archaic classical sparta study local religion examines hero cults sparta archaic_classical period basis archaeological literary_source aim_explore local idiosyncrasy pan hellenic phenomenon help place function hero greek religion although long hero cult especially popular sparta little_known cult term material_evidence historical_context popularity first_second third query origin_development challenge_traditional assumption god also question spartan adaptation heroes political propaganda instead evidence worship person others remain anonymous view local phenomenon reflective develop communal social consciousness archaic classical sparta fourth_deal recently dead context possible posthumous spartan king important communal