The placement of sanctuaries alongside or near difficult sea-routes in the Aegean offers a fresh perspective on the locations of Greek sanctuaries. On May 22, 2014 Margaret M. Miles will address the subject at the ASCSA in Athens. The lecture is entitled “Poseidon’s Net: Sanctuaries and Sea Routes”.
This lecture considers the maritime settings of sanctuaries and their relationship to fisheries, tuna hunts and sea-traffic. Of special interest are maritime shrines and trophies, such as the ship-trophy set up at Molykreion after Phormio’s victory in 429 B.C. In the northern Aegean, the canal cut by Xerxes and the situation of Potidaea indicate potentially difficult passages to and from the Hellespont, itself guarded by shrines of Protesilaus and Achilles. The sea-routes were a crucial network that supported the grain supply to Athens, and trade and communication within the Aegean.
Margaret M. Miles is Andrew W. Mellon Professor, ASCSA, and Professor of Art History and Classics, University of California, Irvine.
Venue: ASCSA, Cotsen Hall, 9 Anapiron Polemou, 106 76 Athens
