Der Innenraum hellenistischer Tempel

The erection of Greek temples was one of the most important building tasks in antiquity. Yet despite over 150 years of academic research on these buildings, their use for cultic and social purposes is almost unknown. This monograph is the first to examine this question systematically on the basis of both the relevant archaeological evidence of the Late Classical and Hellenistic periods in Greece and Asia Minor and the available written tradition. It can be shown that temple interiors were regularly integrated into the cultic processes of the sanctuary and often represented a central space for sacrifice and prayer. At the same time, they were actively used for multi-layered social interaction. However, no cross-cultural mode of use can be grasped. Instead, each temple was inscribed with an individual concept of use according to local requirements. Each Greek temple was therefore unique, not only architecturally, but also in its forms of use.