TOPIC 04
PLACES OF WORSHIP
Sections:
5.1: The layout, significance, role and functions of:
4.11: The Athenian Acropolis and its civic importance to Athens
4.12: Delphi and state and private consultation of Delphic Oracle
4.13: Olympia and the Olympic games and their Panhellenic significance
Topic 4 | Places of Worship
,DEFINITIONS
Temenos
Greek word for sanctuary, literally means ‘having been cut out’- basic elements of a sanctuary
are a bordered sacred area (peribolos), altar, open space (does not need a temple)
Doric Order
Straight, simple columns, wider and the bottom and undecorated capital; include metopes and
triglyphs
e.g. the Parthenon, Temple of Zeus at Olympia
Ionic Order
Friezes, more elaborate columns, decorated capital
Oath of Plataea
To remember the horror of having their most religious space destroyed, the Athenians promised
that they would not build on the Acropolis after the Persian invasion- shows that the Acropolis is
such a holy place and they wanted future generations to remember
Pythia
The priestess of Apollo at Delphi
Omphalos
Literally the Greek word of navel- they named Delphi the omphalos of he Greek world (the
central location)
2
, Promanteia
The right to skip the queue and see the Pythia first (only open for 9 days of the year therefore
this would be favoured)
Proedria
Privelege to sit at the front of the theatre- the Pythian priestess had this rite
Adyton
The room which the Pythia sat in to communicate with the gods
THE ACROPOLIS
Features:
- It was the highest point of Athens (100m from street-level)
- It had a water source, springs and fountains
- The Parthenon
- The Erecthion
- King Kecrops’ graves
- Caryatids
- The Chryselephantine statue of Athena
- Wooden statue of Athena in the Erecthion
- Another statue of Athena outside- Athena Promachos
- Propylaia- entrance way
- Natural limestone outcrop
- Temple of Athena Nike
- Sanctuary of Artemis of Brauronia
They appeal to Athena for different reasons and at different times- epithets are like ‘words with different
meaning’
3
PLACES OF WORSHIP
Sections:
5.1: The layout, significance, role and functions of:
4.11: The Athenian Acropolis and its civic importance to Athens
4.12: Delphi and state and private consultation of Delphic Oracle
4.13: Olympia and the Olympic games and their Panhellenic significance
Topic 4 | Places of Worship
,DEFINITIONS
Temenos
Greek word for sanctuary, literally means ‘having been cut out’- basic elements of a sanctuary
are a bordered sacred area (peribolos), altar, open space (does not need a temple)
Doric Order
Straight, simple columns, wider and the bottom and undecorated capital; include metopes and
triglyphs
e.g. the Parthenon, Temple of Zeus at Olympia
Ionic Order
Friezes, more elaborate columns, decorated capital
Oath of Plataea
To remember the horror of having their most religious space destroyed, the Athenians promised
that they would not build on the Acropolis after the Persian invasion- shows that the Acropolis is
such a holy place and they wanted future generations to remember
Pythia
The priestess of Apollo at Delphi
Omphalos
Literally the Greek word of navel- they named Delphi the omphalos of he Greek world (the
central location)
2
, Promanteia
The right to skip the queue and see the Pythia first (only open for 9 days of the year therefore
this would be favoured)
Proedria
Privelege to sit at the front of the theatre- the Pythian priestess had this rite
Adyton
The room which the Pythia sat in to communicate with the gods
THE ACROPOLIS
Features:
- It was the highest point of Athens (100m from street-level)
- It had a water source, springs and fountains
- The Parthenon
- The Erecthion
- King Kecrops’ graves
- Caryatids
- The Chryselephantine statue of Athena
- Wooden statue of Athena in the Erecthion
- Another statue of Athena outside- Athena Promachos
- Propylaia- entrance way
- Natural limestone outcrop
- Temple of Athena Nike
- Sanctuary of Artemis of Brauronia
They appeal to Athena for different reasons and at different times- epithets are like ‘words with different
meaning’
3
