Artemis
Describe what Artemis was known for
- guided growth of spartans
- goddess of birth and hunt
- protector of women and children- depicted as winged, holding a stag or leapard
What was Artemis known for
- Originated as an Aegean palace goddess
- Associated with wisdom, courage, strategic warfare and handicraft
- depicted with owls, snakes and olive trees
- wears a helmet and holds a spear- Sparta didn’t have direct access to the sea so he had a role as a bringer of Earthquakes alongside being the god of the sea
-God of horses, reflecting Sparta’s involvement in equestrian sports
What are some evidence related to Apollo
What was he known for
- Symbol of the intense military based society, which claimed descent from Herakles, providing them a mythological basis for their state
- His strength, sexual prowess and courage made him a protector of mankind through the 12 Labours of Heracles and his athleticism made him a patron of the sports field
What are some of Artemis’ significant sites
- Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia (between the village of Limnai and Eurotas river)
- sitting indicated her worship in wilderness
- excavation of temple of Orthia
What are some of her significant sites
- Athena Chalkioikos of the Bronze house, a sanctuary from pursuers, decorated with sheets of bronze depicting scenes from mythology
- Temple situated on the acropolis above the Spartan theatre with a small statue of Athena and votive offerings including a panathenaic prize amphora from Athens commemorating a chariot race
What are some of Poseidon’s significant sites
- Sanctuary dedicated to Poseidon as the ‘horse-god’ near a racecourse of Sparta
- Shrine of Poseidon the earth holder near Therapne and Tainaron
- Sanctuary of horse breeding Poseidon at Theomelida in Lakonia
What was Apollo known for
- Patron of arts
- God of music prophecy and healing
- Associated with sun, ideals of harmony, order and reason
- Responsible for success of Sparta in warfare and state affairs, consulted through oracles such as the Oracle of Delphi
Evidence related to him
- A temple to Herakles was possibly built within Sparta
- “Heracles, in his rearing and education and especially in the thorough instruction which he received in physical exercises, came to be the first by far in bodily strength among all the rest and famed for nobility of spirit.”
- “Come, take courage, for your stock is from unconquered Heracles?"
What are some Evidence related to Artemis
- offering of clay vessels
- lead figures
- 2000 ivory figures
- terracotta masks
- carvings into bone depicting Artemis given by pregnant or barren women
First temple contained 100000 lead figurines, depicting winged figures, soldiers and animals
How was Athena Worshipped
- Worshipped as Athena Chalkioikos of the Bronze house
- Spartans sought favour and guidance in their military endeavours
How was he worshipped
- Singing of sacred hymns such as Homer’s hymn to Poseidon
- He is described as the mover of the earth and barren see and a tamer of horses and a paean on campaigns
- Possible evidence of a festival where he is worshipped as an earth holder
What are some of his important sites
- sanctuary of Apollo at Amylkai there was a statue of Apollo armed with spear and bow, there was another similar one in Thornax
How was he worshipped
- ancestral figure as the 2 royal houses claimed direct lineage from him
- Honoured in the city’s gymnasiums and wrestling grounds as he was a patron of youth and served to inspire the warriors
- Offered traditional burnt sacrifices alongside nighttime liberations and mourning rituals reserved for the dead
How was Artemis Worshiped
- sacrifice to Artemis Agrotera prior to entering military campaigns
- Diamastigosis: ritual flagellation of young spartans in front of the xoanon
- xenophon’s description of Diamastigosis: Rite of passage for paidikoi to he notes involving a cheese (goddess’ milk) stealing ritual at the altar of Artemis Orthia
What are some evidence related to Artemis
- Regent Pausanias sought refuge here, fleeing from the ephors in the 5th century BC
- He was starved and died
-“Setting off with a run from the sanctuary of the goddess of the Brazen House, the enclosure of which was near at hand, he succeeded in taking refuge before they took him … [ephors] reduced him by starvation … what had been done was a curse to them to give back two bodies instead of one to the goddess of the Brazen House”
What are some evidence related to him
- Spartans believed the earthquakes of 465BC was poseidon punishing them for their seizure and killing of helots who sought refuge at the temple of poseidon at taenarus
- An earth tremor which King Agis invaded in Argos in 388/7 was interpreted as poseidons encouragement to advance
- “Interestingly, the gods who dominate Spartan religion Artemis, the Dioscuri, Poseidon and, above all, Apollo are also prominent among the peri okok, and “hero-reliefs” too are widely distributed throughout Laconia” - Robert Parker
How was he worshipped
- Pan-hellenic shrine of Apollo at Delphi who delivered oracles of divine guidances, Apollo defeated the dragon Python here
- Kings sacrificed a victim to Apollo monthly
- Karena, Hyakinthia and Gymnopaedia dedicated to Apollo
- Every 4 years, the Pythian games were held in his honour