Sanctuary of Athena Cynthia at Delos

The Sanctuary of Athena Cynthia at Delos
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The Sacred Island of Delos

Tiny, uninhabited Delos is one of the most important archeological sites in Greece.

According to legend, Leto gave birth to Artemis and Apollo here.

The Ionians arrived in about 1000 BCE, bringing the worship of Apollo and founding the annual Delia Festival, during which games and music were played in His honor.

By 700 BCE, Delos was a major religious center. First a place of pilgrimage, it later became a thriving commercial port particularly in the 3rd and 2nd centuries BCE.

It is now an open-air archeological museum with mosaics and marble ruins covered in wild flowers in spring.

Map of Delos with Mount Cynthus
(Click the image for a full screen view)

Mount Cynthus

The Cynthion, the Sanctuary sacred to Athena Cynthia and Zeus Cynthius, is located at the highest point of the island, a venerable spot already in the archaic period and much enlarged in the late 2nd century BCE.

The visitor can climb up eastwards in order to see the Sanctuaries on the summit of mount Cynthus. He follows the best preserved of the three paths which can be seen easily from afar.

At the beginning of the street left, on the vertical rock face, is the inscription: Of Athena Organe, a dedication to Athena Ergane, patron Goddess of manual work.

A path on the right side of the street leads to the Cynthus cave. A rock-cut stair way leads to the terrace in front of the cave, which is supported by a wall of large blocks of granite. At the center of the terrace, on a granite base, stands a large marble altar with hollow drums-rings of diameter 1.50m. The cave was originally thought to be the age-old Sanctuary of Apollo mentioned in the myth, but was later identified as the Sanctuary of Hercules, created in Hellenistic times (3rd century BCE), within the general climate of returning to nature and more ancient forms of cult.

On returning to the main path and ascending towards the mountain, at the end of the stepped street a steep stairway with many steps leads to the summit, where the Cynthion, the Sanctuary of Athena Cynthia and Zeus Cynthius, is located.

The Sanctuary of Athena Cynthia

The Sanctuary of Athena Cynthia and Zeus Cynthius is located on the summit of mount Cynthus and was built in the 3rd century BCE.

Only the strong granite foundation of the propylaeum (gate) of the entrance, at one time with four marble Doric columns, is in situ.

The Cynthion stood on a square elevated site supported by mighty granite retaining walls. Two rectangular buildings, the Temples of the Gods, or in the view of some scholars simple oikoi (houses) or hestiatoria (dining halls), badly destroyed, face each other next to the north peribolos (wall enclosing the sacred area).

Clickable Map of mount Cynthus' Sanctuary
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The Cynthion Treasure

Click here to see the list of objects.

Bruneau notes the "modification radicale" of the treasure between 156 and 146 BCE: the single statue is replaced by two, the pinaxes dedicated by Autokles' sons become anonymous; some objects are omitted; others are added.

We might add that some cult objects disappear (table, chairs, krater, trough, doors), but a table and stone washbasin are added and the arrangement is no longer by locale (under the influence of one item [D26] being weighed?). Bruneau, following Roussel, speaks of a renovation of the cult thanks to "dévotion orientale" and provides considerable supporting evidence.

GALLERY

Map of Delos with Mount Cynthus on center.
The Sacred Island of Delos is located in the center of the Cycladic Islands, Greece.

  • Mount Cynthus is located in the center of Delos Island.
  • And the Cynthion is located on top of Mount Cynthus.

Mount Cynthus view from North.

Mount Cynthus view from West.

Delos reconstruction, city center.
Mount Cynthus and the Cynthion can be seen on the top right of the picture.

  • The Temples of Apollo and the Temple of Artemis are on the bottom left of the picture.

Delos reconstruction, Southside.
Mount Cynthus and the Cynthion can be seen on the top right of the picture.

  • The paths to the top can also be seen.

Mount Cynthus from NW.
On bottom, the huge base, approximately 5.19 x 3.50 m and 0.80 m high, with a large depression on the top to receive the plinth of a gigantic marble statue of Apollo, the renowned Colossus of the Naxians.


Mount Cynthus from NW.
Southside of Delos.

  • The pathway leading to the top can already be seen.

Mount Cynthus from NW.
Southside of Delos.

  • The Temple of Isis (center left) and the pathway leading to the top can easily be seen.

Mount Cynthus from NW.
Southside of Delos.

  • The Cynthion (far center) on top of Mount Cynthus can already be seen.

Mount Cynthus steep street leading to the top.

Athena Ergane inscription.
At the beginning of the street left, on the vertical rock face, is the inscription: Of Athena Organe, a dedication to Athena Ergane, patron Goddess of manual work.


Cynthion reconstruction view from West.
The steep street leading to the top is on bottom left.


Cynthion reconstruction view from South.
The two oikoi (houses) side-by-side are supposed to be the Temples of the Gods.

  • In the center of the platform was surfacing the peak of the mount (not reconstructed), probably with an Altar.

Cynthion reconstruction view from the Top.

Cynthion Clickable Plan.

Cynthion Stairway.
At the end of the stepped street (bottom left) a steep stairway (center) with many steps leads to the summit, where the Cynthion, the Sanctuary of Athena Cynthia and Zeus Cynthius, is located.


Cynthion Architrave.
At the end of the stairway there was a propylaeum (gate) with four marble Doric columns.

  • A section of the Architrave with inscriptions is in the foreground.
  • Some fallen columns can be seen behind.

East Oikos view from SW.
South peribolos (wall enclosing the sacred area) in the foreground.

  • The lady is just stepping the entrance to the East Oikos (house).

East Oikos view from SW.
A closer view of the entrance to the East Oikos (house).


East Oikos view from West.
We are now in front of East Oikos (house) entrance.

  • The East Oikos is aprox. 7.90 m (25.92 ft) large and the door is aprox. 1.75 m (5.74 ft) large.

East Oikos view from West.
A closer view of East Oikos (house) entrance.

  • Notice the original floor behind the woman.

East Oikos view from West.
East Oikos (house) entrance in the foreground.

  • Notice the original floor in situ (center).

East Oikos original floor.
East Oikos (house) floor paved with small stones.


East Oikos view from NW.
After the entrance (foreground) a small antechamber, also paved, precedes the main room (left).

  • The walls of the main room were stuccoed.

East Oikos view from NW.
A full view of East Oikos (house).


East Oikos frieze.
Many marble architectural elements are scattered on the slopes.

  • The style of this elements and the color of the marble resembles the ones of the South Stoa on the right side of the Sacred Way of Delos, believed to be built at the expenses of King Attalos I of Pergamum, after the mid 3rd century BCE.

Cynthion Peak view from East.
A large marble block can be noticed to the right. This block seems to be part of an architectural platform surrounding the peak by all sides, probably the Altar.

  • The distance between the East Oikos (house) and this block is aprox. 5 m (16.4 ft).

NE Oikos view from SE.
The Cynthion stands on a square elevated site supported by mighty granite retaining walls.

  • The NE Oikos (house) was on top of these walls.

NE Oikos view from SE.
The path surrounding the peak (left) is in the foreground.

  • The foundations of NE Oikos (house) can be seen to the right. The foundations of NW Oikos are in front (far).

NE Oikos view from S.
Here we are looking straight to the NE Oikos (house).

  • The entrance was on the bottom, the East wall to the right and the West wall to the left.

NE Oikos view from SW.
The NE Oikos (house) foundations are in front and the NW Oikos foundations are to the left.


NE Oikos from W.
We are now viewing NE Oikos (house) from inside NW Oikos.


NW Oikos view from NE.
The NW Oikos has some sort of structure inside (front). Some marble blocks can be noticed to the top left. This blocks seems to be part of an architectural platform surrounding the peak by all sides, probably the Altar.

  • Side note: Being on the spot we can not miss thinking this NW Oikos is the cella (with 11 m (36 ft) long) of a Temple being the inside structure the base of the cult statue. The NE Oikos (with 6 m (20 ft) long) could be the Pronaos of the Temple or a platform in front of the Temple. The Temple would be turned East, probably with columns on the East and West ends.

NW Oikos view from S.
Here we are looking straight to the NW Oikos (house).

  • The entrance was on the bottom, the East wall to the right and the West wall to the left.

NW Oikos from SE.
The foundations of the NW Oikos (house) are in front and to the right. The foundations of the propylaeum (gate) are to the left.


NW Oikos view from SW.
From the foundations of the propylos (gate) to the NW Oikos (house).


Cynthion Stylobate.
The Stylobate is the "top step", on which the walls and columns stood.

  • The place where the column stood is well visible.

Cynthion Stylobate measures.
The measures are approximate.


Cynthion Peak view from South.
The foundations of the propylaeum (gate) can be seen to the left. To the right, notice the white marble blocks, they were part of the floor. They also delimited the West side of the architectural platform surrounding the peak by all sides, probably the Altar.

  • This platform would have aprox. 9 m (30 ft) on the East and West sides, and aprox. 5 m (16 ft) on the South and North sides.

Athena inscription in the Cynthion.
On this fallen marble block, inside the Cynthion, we can read the name of Athena at the end of the third line.


Athena head.
Life-size head with Athenian helmet, fringe and inlaid ear lobes. The archaic smile is still visible.

  • See the body below.
  • From 500 BCE.
  • Delos Museum, A4111.

Athena body.
Life-size with shield on the left hand.

  • See the head above.
  • From 500 BCE.
  • Delos Museum, A4097 + A2932.

Delos Mosaic with Athena.
Athena in armor with helmet, shield, spear and owl.

  • Mosaic floor from a house on the Hill.
  • Scardana Quarter, Ilôt des Bijoux.
  • Delos Museum, B17947.

Athena upper part.
Golden helmet with three crests, golden spear and wristbands. Owl on the right hand. Notice the white color of the skin.

  • Mosaic floor from a house on the Hill.
  • Scardana Quarter, Ilôt des Bijoux.
  • Delos Museum, B17947.

Athena lower part.
The different color on the front of the peplus (dress) is due to restoration with stones of different color. The left knee is bent. Golden shield and sandals.

  • Mosaic floor from a house on the Hill.
  • Scardana Quarter, Ilôt des Bijoux.
  • Delos Museum, B17947.

Athena Hygieia from Delos (front view).
Athena Hygieia (Health) with serpent at her side. Although being of Severe style must be date to 430 BCE.

  • Following the Athena Hygieia type from the Athenian Acropolis, bronze work by Pyrrhus (470 BCE).
  • From the Propylaeum (gate).
  • Delos Museum, A7780.

Athena Hygieia from Delos (side view).
Athena is leaning against a tree and the snake is climbing the tree.

  • From the Propylaeum (gate).
  • Delos Museum, A7780.

Gods' relief from Delos.
The love of Classical works and even earlier ones led to retrospective imitation and the prevailing of archaistic tendencies from the 2nd century BCE. One of the loveliest works of this art is this relief from the House of the Lake. Hermes with the caduceus in his right hand leads a procession of Gods - Athena, Apollo and Artemis. The garments are rendered with the overlapping folds known as 'swallow tails', characteristic of archaic art. However the garland with the bucrania in the upper part of the relief is a clearly Hellenistic creation.

  • Marble relief, House of the Lake.
  • Delos Museum, A9.

Tourist Information

Delos is an island-museum, there are not any hotels or rooms there, you can not even camp. See hotels, villas and apartments in nearby Mykonos island, from where daily journeys to Delos are arranged. Daily boat 8 - 10 am from Mykonos town returning 12 - 2 pm. Open 8.30 am - 3 pm from Tuesday to Sunday.

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