Temple of Zeus Phratrios and Athena Phratria

At the foot of the hill of the Agora is a line of foundations that shows where the main public buildings of the ancient Athens stood. On the west side of the Agora, between the Stoa of Zeus Eleutherios and North of the Temple of Apollo Patroos are the remains of a tiny Sanctuary with 17 x 11.9 ft. (5.2 x 3.65 m) dimensions, dating from ca. 350 - 338 B.C.E., dedicated to Zeus Phratrios and Athena Phratria, the tutelary divinities of the phratriai (fraternities) into which citizens were grouped.

Inside was a simple cella with a small altar in front; joined by a small wall to the Temple of Apollo Patroos and forming an architectural unit with it. In the 2nd century B.C. a small porch was added.

The transitional stage between the orders of mother-right and father-right was characterized in Greece by male societies, which in the course of history lost their character (well known in ethnology) as secret societies and remained classifications of men into phratries (brotherhoods). The phratriai of Athens had the task of assuming responsibility for the early maturational ceremonies for young boys at the feast called Apaturia, and then for leading them step by step toward the stage of marriage. They also registered the marriageable maidens and accepted them into the phratrie as wives. As Phratria and Apaturia, Athena is the Goddess of these ancient male societies. Among the male Deities, Zeus Phratrios stands in the first position beside her.

Views

  • Plan of temple of Zeus Phratrios and Athena Phratria
  • Inscription from temple of Zeus Phratrios and Athena Phratria, from E
  • Left part of inscription from temple of Zeus Phratrios and Athena Phratria
  • Center of inscription from temple of Zeus Phratrios and Athena Phratria
  • Right part of inscription from temple of Zeus Phratrios and Athena Phratria

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