5 - Polytheism and the Distribution of Votives in the Corinthia

Summary

This chapter focuses on ancient Corinthia as an area that housed several sizeable Greek sanctuaries, including those of Poseidon at Isthmia, Hera at Perachora, and Demeter and Kore on the Acrocorinth. All of these sanctuaries have yielded extensive assemblages of items left by worshippers as votives dedicated to the ancient Greek gods and goddesses. The study of the similarities and differences of their votive deposits illuminates the uses of these sanctuaries within different local contexts. The quantitative look at dedicatory assemblages is combined with the qualitative look at individual objects or groups of objects to consider questions of the wealth and gender of those dedicating the votives as well as their geographical origin. The chapter shows that dedicatory assemblages can provide invaluable insights into the way in which the local constitutes itself in ever different ways at each of these sanctuaries. It also illustrates that material objects can point to both their practical uses as well as the thinking of those engaged in their circulation.