Sparta41

=Sparta Society to the Battle of Leuctra, 371 BC =

- Syllabus Content -  Map - Past Questions -

Gods and goddesses: Artemis Orthia, Poseidon, Apollo
(a) Name TWO gods/goddesses worshipped at Sparta. (2 marks)
 * Past HSC question - 2006**:

(a) The majority of candidates were able to name two gods/goddesses worshipped at Sparta.
 * Examiners' comment**:

Text, page 127


 * Artemis Orthia**


 * Goddess of fertility and childbirth; huntress; sister of Apollo.
 * The Spartans combined her with Orthia, an earlier Spartan goddess.

See also: 5.2 Architecture: Sanctuary of Artemis Orthia


 * Apollo**


 * Sun god; order and harmony; brother of Artemis
 * Associated particularly with Amyklai and the Hyakinthia festival.
 * Also worshipped at Delphi where his oracle was consulted by all Greeks: gave approval, through the Great Rhetra, of the Spartan constitution.

See also: 4.3 Festivals: Hyakinthia; and 5.2 Architecture: Amyklaion


 * Poseidon**


 * God of the sea.
 * ** Pausanias **: no sanctuary at Gutheion mentioned, but a sanctuary to ‘horse-breeding Poseidon’ in Laconia, and sanctuary near the racecourse.
 * Poseidon is also called ‘house-god’ and ‘Family Poseidon’.
 * Near Therapne: ‘Poseidon the earth-holder’.
 * Also the ‘earth-shaker’ (earthquakes). ** Thucydides **1.128: the earthquake of 465 BC was punishment by Poseidon for the killing of helots who had sought sanctuary at his alter.
 * ** Xenophon **: King Agis interpreted an earth tremor in 388/7 BC as encouragement from Poseidon to advance.
 * ** Xenophon **: Spartan soldiers on campaign sang a paean to Poseidon.