Published online by Cambridge University Press: 25 November 2011
In memoriam Eos Zervoudaki2
The terracotta model presented in this article depicts the roof of a small temple or naiskos. It was discovered during the excavation of a Late Geometric apsidal temple, probably dedicated to Poseidon Heliconius, at Nikoleika near Aegion. An account of the excavation can be found in the article by Erophile Kolia in this volume. The present article focuses on interpretation and analysis of the model in the context of the religious, social and political life of Achaea during the second half of the eighth century bc.
Πήλινο αρχιτεκτονικό ομοίωμα με εικονιστική διακόσμηση της Ύστερης Γεωμετρικής Περιόδου από την αρχαία Ελίκη του Ν. Αχαϊας
Το πήλινο ομοίωμα που παρουσιάζεται στο άρθρο αυτό αναπαριστά τη στέγη ενός μικρού ναϊσκου. Αποκαλύφθηκε κατά τη διάρκεια ανασκαφής ενός Yστερογεωμετρικού αψιδωτού ναού στα Νικολέικα, κοντά στο Αίγιο, αφιερωμένου πιθανώς στον Ελικώνιο Ποσειδώνα. Το άρθρο της Ερωφίλης Κόλια, στον ίδιο τόμο, αναφέρεται στην ανασκαφή του ιερού αυτού. Το παρόν άρθρο εστιάζει στην ερμηνεία και την ανάλυση του ομοιώματος στο πλαίσιο της θρησκευτικής, κοινωνικής και πολιτικής ζωής της Αχαϊας κατά τη διάρκεια του δεύτερου μισού του 8ου αιώνα π.Χ.
Warmest thanks are due to my colleague and friend E. Kolia for entrusting me with the publication of the portable finds from her excavation. The conservator of the 6th Ephorate of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities (Στ´ ΕΠΚΑ), V. Kyrkos, has been an invaluable collaborator in selecting and conserving the material. Funding from the Institute for Aegean Prehistory (INSTAP) and the Psychas Foundation was decisive both for the excavation and for the drawing and photographing of the finds. I am most grateful to Dr N. Massar of the Musées Royaux d'Art et d'Histoire (Cinquantenaire) in Brussels for providing photographs of the oinochoe Α 1941. Study of the model commenced while I was at the University of Oxford as recipient of the Centenary Bursary of the British School at Athens in 2009. I am extremely grateful to the School for this opportunity. My spell in Oxford contributed decisively to the research for this publication. I thank Professor I. Lemos for her advice and guidance during my stay in Britain. Of crucial importance were my discussions with M. Stamatopoulou, T. Mannack, R. Catling and Professor Sir J. Boardman. Professors N. Kourou and E. Bournia (Athens) and Professor A. Mazarakis Ainian (Thessaly) encouraged me from the start, and willingly discussed problems of interpretation and presentation. My friends and colleagues Ch. Avronidaki, G. Kavvadias, G. Menega, E. Vivliodetis, A. Psalti and E. Kephalidou shared their knowledge and always had time to hear my opinions and to help me. Professor N. Papalexandrou followed the course of the publication from afar and, with his expertise on the iconography of early historical times, offered invaluable observations; I thank him most warmly. I thank also the Honorary Ephor of Antiquities A. Lembesi for crucial suggestions of interpretation. Last, I thank the Director of the National Archaeological Museum, Dr N. Kaltsas, and the Museum's former Keeper of the Collection of Vases and Minor Arts, E. Stasinopoulou, as well as all my colleagues in this Department, who were in their various ways instrumental in securing my one-year sabbatical (2009–10) from the Hellenic Ministry of Culture, during which time I was able to complete the present publication. Last but not least I would like to express my warmest thanks to Professor C. Morgan for her invaluable guidance and help throughout the study and writing of the present article.