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Water-birds and the Olympian Gods
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 27 September 2013
Abstract
Of over 1000 images of birds found in sanctuaries, approximately 300 may be interpreted as water birds: they are found in sanctuaries of female rather than male deities. The cult and ritual reasons for bird offerings and representation are discussed.
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References
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2 Callimachus, Hymn to Delos. 249–255; Plato, Phaedo. 84E; Aelian, , De Natura Animalium. II.32Google Scholar; XIV.13; Eustathius, Iliad. I.206.
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8 OlForsch XII, p. 185; nos. 931–7; OlForsch XIII, 1264; 1267; 1282–5; 1289.
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18 But it must be said that among the figurines of bronze and terracotta at Artemis Orthia and at Perachora, birds are out-numbered by horses.
19 ADelt 19(1964) B2 p. 247.
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28 Callimachus refers to the self-flagellation of the worshipper as he circled the altar (Hymn to Delos. 320–322). This is reminiscent of the flogging of Spartan youths at Artemis Orthia's altar, which Nilsson interpreted as a fertility-ritual (Nilsson, M.P.. Griechische Feste von religioser Bedeutung. Stuttgart. 1957, pp. 190–192).Google Scholar
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30 On a seventh century painted coffer from Thebes, the winged goddess holds two water-birds by the neck JdI 3 (1888), p. 357); while on an amphora, also Boeotian, the birds hover above her wings (AM 50 (1925), p. 160. Fig. 1).
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33 Apollodorus. III.10.7.
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35 See for example Athenaeus (quoting Aristotle) 393d.
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40 Pausanias. VIII.22.5.
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47 Valois, R.. L'Architecture Héllenique et Hellénistique à Délos. Vol. I. Paris 1944, p. 13.Google Scholar A fifth century marble relief from Aegina affords further evidence of the sacrifice of waterbirds to Artemis. Here, a procession of worshippers bring a deer and a goose towards the altar of a goddess holding two targe torches (AE 1901, pp. 113–120. Pl.6; Lexicon lconographicum II. ‘Artemis’ 461).
48 BCH 15 (1891), p. 139.
49 BCH 82 (1958), p. 814; 105 (1981), p. 942. Fig. 29.
50 Blinkenberg. Op. cit. 1860 (Lindos); BCH 45 (1921), p. 385, Fig. 45. 154 (Tegea); ASAtene 33–4 (1955–6), p. 261, Fig. 57d (Gortyn); Payne, H., Perachora. Vol. I. Oxford 1940. p. 146. Pl. 48. 4 & 5Google Scholar; p. 186. Pl. 85.2; T.J. Dunbabin Ibid, Vol. II. Oxford 1962, p. 429. A. 95. Pl. 182 (Perachora); OLForsch II. p. 82, Fig. 1 (Olympia); A. Furtwängler, Beschreibung der Vasensammlung im Antiquarium. 907 (Penteskouphia).
51 Dawkins. Op. cit., p. 208. Pl. 98.1, 2 & 3; p. 230; p. 267. Fig. 126.b. Pl. 185.29; p. 384. Pl. 203.3.
52 BCH, 13 (1891), p. 39. Fig. 6.
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