Temple of Artemis Orthia
The Temple of Artemis Orthia was an important religious site located in the Limnai Marsh east of Sparta in Lakonia, Greece. Central location of Limnai village and near the river Eurotas, the temple was dedicated to the goddess Artemis in her aspect of Orthia.
History[edit | edit source]
There was a story that claimed that Spartans brought the statue of Artemis to Lakonia from Tauris. Others said that that statue was brought thence by Iphigenia, the daughter of King Agamemnon, and laid down in Marathon Beach of Attika, where a statue of the goddess was used as a place of worship. Yet others claimed that the statue was stolen by Persians.[1]
During the Peloponnesian War the temple was visited by the Spartan misthios Kassandra. She slew the captain and claimed the valuables within the temple.[1]
Trivia[edit | edit source]
- όρθια (órthia) is a Greek word meaning 'upright'.
- Orthia was also the name of a Spartan goddess, who was later syncretized with Artemis, due to the similarities of their portfolios.
Gallery[edit | edit source]
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The statue of Artemis in front of the temple -
The interior of the temple
