Alea

A surname of Athena, under which she was worshiped at Alea, Mantineia, and Tegea.1 The temple of Athena Alea at Tegea, which was the oldest, was said to have been built by Aleus, the son of Apheidas, from whom the goddess probably derived this surname.2

This temple was burnt down in 394 BCE, and a new one built by Scopas, which in size and splendor surpassed all other temples in the Peloponnese, and was surrounded by a triple row of columns of different orders. The statue of the goddess, which was made by Endoeus all of ivory, was subsequently carried to Rome by Augustus to adorn the Forum Augusti.3 The temple of Athena Alea at Tegea was an ancient and revered asylum, and the names of many persons are recorded who saved themselves by seeking refuge in it.4 The priestess of Athena Alea at Tegea was always a maiden, who held her office only until she reached the age of puberty.5

Respecting the architecture and the sculptures of this temple, see Meyer.6 On the road from Sparta to Therapne there was likewise a statue of Athena Alea.7

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References

Notes

  1. Pausanias. Description of Greece viii, 23.1, 9.3; ii, 17.7.
  2. ibid. viii, 4.5.
  3. ibid. viii, 45.4, 46.1 and 2, 47.1.
  4. ibid. iii, 5.6; ii, 17.7; iii, 7.8.
  5. ibid. viii, 47.2.
  6. Geschichte der bildende Künste, ii, 99 ff.
  7. Pausanias. Description of Greece iii, 19.7.

Source

  • Smith, William. (1870). Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology. London: Taylor, Walton, and Maberly.

This article incorporates text from Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology (1870) by William Smith, which is in the public domain.