The Menelaion (Μενελάειον) was an ancient Spartan cultic-shrine dedicated to the worship of legendary king of ancient Sparta Menelaus and his wife Helen. Today it is one of the notable archaeological sites dating as far back as the early Mycenaean period. It is situated approximately 2.5 kilometers to the east as the crow flies from the modern city of Sparti.
The Menelaion shrine, dedicated to Menelaus and Helen, underwent three distinct architectural phases. The earliest phase, dating to the late 8th or early 7th century BCE, is marked by scattered limestone blocks, which are not associated with a specific structure but correlate with strata containing votive offerings. In the 6th century BCE, a small monumental structure made of limestone was constructed, although many of its building materials were later found out of context, either in landfills or reused in subsequent constructions. This structure was eventually demolished in the 5th century BCE to make way for a new sanctuary, which was built atop the earlier edifice. Stratigraphic evidence confirms the continuity of cultic activity, though some researchers suggest that the earlier structure may have functioned as a warehouse during the 1909 excavations. The visible ruins of the Menelaion today belong to this 5th-century BCE sanctuary.
circa 500 BCE
Shrine of Helen and Menelaus
The Laconian shrine of Helen and Menelaus at ancient Therapne from c.700bce occupied a commanding position facing Mt. Taygetus on a spur high above the Eurotas, 2.5 kilometres (1.5 miles) south-east of the Spartan Acropolis. Epigraphy confirms that the principal figure venerated in the earliest phase was Helen.
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The Madain Project is an online archive of Abrahamic History and Archaeology.
Abrahamic History & Archaeology is the study of history and archaeology with respect to the three Abrahamic Faiths without considering the religious and theological aspects. The goal of Abrahamic History is to understand how and why the religious doctrines and behaviours have evlovled and changed over time. Searching for patterns in the evolution of significant cultural events such as the development of farming, the emergence of cities, or the collapse of major civilizations for clues of why and how these have influenced the three major Abrahamic religions.
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