Deities in Ancient Sparta: Artemis, Apollo, Poseidon
Deeper insight into the Spartan religious observances and sanctuaries dedicated to the goddesses Artemis Orthia and Apollo, as well as the god Poseidon, highlighting their significance and roles in Spartan culture.
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COMBINATION of two deities ORTHIA: earlier Spartan goddess - little is known. The combining of the two deities became a particular Spartan religious observance. ARTEMIS: was Apollo s twin sister and was regarded as: The goddess of hunting, the forest and the moon mistress of the wild Goddess of Chastity protector of women who were about to be married or approaching childbirth Infallible archer like her brother ARTEMIS SANCTUARIES: there were many Artemis sanctuaries including: The Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia near the Eurotas river (outside centre of Sparta) Festival of Artemis Orthia stealing of the cheese from her altar by young boys whipped by older boys (rite of passage) - PAUSANIAS Artemis orthia Whereat an oracle was delivered to them, that they should stain the altar with human blood. He used to be sacrificed upon whomsoever the lot fell, but Lycurgus changed the custom to a scourging of the ephebos, and so in this way the altar is stained with human blood. By them stands the priestess, holding the wooden image. (Description of Greece III, 16)
APOLLO: was the son of Zeus: he was recognised as the god of light, music and truth (originally of the sky) bringer of health also an archer god whose arrows never missed their heart , warrior god Spartan obsession with youth (worshipped as a young man) ORACLE OF DELPHI: through his temple at Delphi, he was believed to send messages that influenced decisions - SPARTAN CONSITUTION SANCTUARIES: he had many sanctuaries to Apollo including: The Sanctuary of Apollo myklaios at Amaclae - Amyklaion Statue of Apollo armed with a spear and bow Major festivals Hyakinthia, Gymnopaedia Apollo The three principal festivals all honour Apollo, the model youth R. Parker
POSEIDON: brother of Zeus: god of sea and horses God of fresh water held responsible for earthquakes, so Greeks called him the Earth shaker e.g. the Spartans believed he sent an earthquake in c. 464BC to punish them SANCTUARIES: he had several sanctuaries and temples including: Several sanctuaries of Poseidon in Laconia Poseidon and his wife Amphitrite were featured in bronze reliefs in the temple of Athena Also worshipped at the temple near Cape Taenaron Poseidon Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 11. 9 : "Not far from them [the markets of Sparta] is a sanctuary . . . of Poseidon surnamed Asphalios (Securer). Pausanias, Description of Greece 3. 15. 10 : "Not far from the theater [of Sparta] is a sanctuary of Poseidon Genethlios (God of Kin)."
