one of the more interesting things (to me) about the ruins in greece is the way that you find them in quietest of places. when you think of greek ruins, the acropolis might be the first thing to spring to mind, but there are many small archaelogical gems tucked away in villages or in the middle of an olive grove someplace.
for today’s example, we have the temple of alea athena in tegea. it’s not clear when the temple was built, but it burned down in 395 or 394 bc and was rebuilt in 350 bc. the new temple was notable for its superstructure, made entirely from marble – a first for the peloponnese – and its triple row of columns. the greek historian pausanias writes:
the modern temple is far superior to all other temples in the peloponnesus on many grounds, especially for its size. its first row of pillars is doric, and the next to it corinthian; also, outside the temple, stand pillars of the ionic order.
it was also noted as a place for people seeking sanctuary from prosecution. nonetheless, to see the temple today and in its current setting, you wouldn’t know the reputation it had in its time.
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next: still more antiquities
COHN17 