The role of water in Greek sanctuaries: A practical and ritual analysis of water in a case study of the sanctuaries Olympia and Epidauros

Sanctuaries in ancient Greece were important religious hubs for the purposes of cult worship. Located on areas anointed as hallowed ground, the sanctuaries played important roles as regional, economic and political centres, attracting many visitors in their time. This thesis aims to identify and structure the different roles of water in sanctuaries into two main categories. Firstly what the different uses of water are in a practical and utilitarian context, and secondly what the uses of water are in a ritual or sacred context. To analyse the roles and aspects of water in ancient Greek sanctuaries, the archaeological record of two very influential and important Greek sanctuaries is studied: the sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia and the sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidauros. The archaeological traces at these sanctuaries are investigated for traces of structures relating to water management. In addition to analysing and interpreting archaeological water management structures, the analysis of...Show moreSanctuaries in ancient Greece were important religious hubs for the purposes of cult worship. Located on areas anointed as hallowed ground, the sanctuaries played important roles as regional, economic and political centres, attracting many visitors in their time. This thesis aims to identify and structure the different roles of water in sanctuaries into two main categories. Firstly what the different uses of water are in a practical and utilitarian context, and secondly what the uses of water are in a ritual or sacred context. To analyse the roles and aspects of water in ancient Greek sanctuaries, the archaeological record of two very influential and important Greek sanctuaries is studied: the sanctuary of Zeus at Olympia and the sanctuary of Asklepios at Epidauros. The archaeological traces at these sanctuaries are investigated for traces of structures relating to water management. In addition to analysing and interpreting archaeological water management structures, the analysis of ancient written sources and inscriptions were used to further understand ancient water practices not visible in the archaeological record. Other methods like the study of sacrificial rituals in both sanctuaries provided additional insight into the role of water in cult contexts. The results showed a wide variety of water usage, with some roles associated to water that we no longer see today in western societies. Ritual roles of water were very unique to Greek religion, and were paired with concepts of pollutions (Miasma). In short, water usage had ritual and sacred aspects when dealing with ritual sacrifices, purifications before entering sanctuaries and specific holy temples. Furthermore, water was also believed to have healing properties, and was used to ritually bathe and clean. On the other hand, utilitarian and profane uses of water were more predictable and mostly out of necessities. These include water used for personal needs like drinking, cleaning and bathing. Yet also some non-personal needs like washing sanctuary statues, cleaning sacrificial altars and water spent on watering plants and animals. These results give us a wider view of the dimensions waters could have had in Greek sanctuaries, especially in a cult environment.Show less

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The role of water in Greek sanctuaries: A practical and ritual analysis of water in a case study of the sanctuaries Olympia and Epidauros