Delphi - the Kings of Argos
12) The Kings of Argos
Period: approx. 369 B.C.
In front of the semi-circular platform with the Statues of «Epigones», is another similar one. The two semi-circular platforms are forming a cercle separated in two by the Sacred Way between them, enclosing and perpetuating the mythical glory of the city of Argos.
This second semi-circular platform, with the inscription: ARGEION – Argives, is the fourth dedication of the city of Argos with the heroes and kings of Argos.
The semi-circular platform with the Statues of the Kings of Argos
It included, as the inscriptions show, nine or ten statues: beginning from Danaus, the mythical Danean leader and King of Argos, in the middle of the platform. The lineage would continue to the left, with Hypermnestra, «Lynceus and the whole breed of heroes, up to Heracles, and even before that to Perseus» as Pausanias writes.
On the podiums of the statues are the names: Lynceus, Abas, Acrisius, Danaë, Perseus, Electryon, Alcmena and Heracles, at the beginning on the left, with the signature of the artist Antiphanes of Argos: «Αντιφάνης εποίησε Αργείος» (Antiphanis from Argos made).
The votive with the heroes and kings of Argos was made for the occasion of the foundation of Messina in 369 B.C., but activities were perhaps interrupted during the Third Sacred War * (355-346 B.C.) without their completion.
The platform is larger than the opposite one, with a diameter of 13.72 m, but it seems that there were no statues on the right side.
Sacred Wars: A series of wars
First Sacred War or Cirraean War: was fought between the Amphictyonic League of Delphi and the city of Kirrha. The conflict arose due to Kirrha's frequent robbery and mistreatment of pilgrims going to Delphi and their encroachments upon Delphic land. The war, which culminated with the defeat and destruction of Kirrha, is notable for the use of chemical warfare at the Siege of Kirrha, in the form of hellebore being used to poison the city's water supply. The war's end was marked by the organization of the first Pythian Games.
Second Sacred War (Part of the First Peloponnesian War) - 440s B.C. was a conflict over the occupation of the Temple of Apollo at Delphi: Spartans quickly removed the Athenian-backed Phocians and returned stewardship to the Delphians. After the Spartans left, however, an Athenian army—led by Pericles—took the city and re-installed Phocian rule.
Third Sacred War: (356–346 B.C.) was fought between the forces of the Delphic Amphictyonic League, principally represented by Thebes, and latterly by Philip II of Macedon, and the Phocians. The war was caused by a large fine imposed in 357 BC on the Phocians by the Amphictyonic League (dominated at that moment by the city of Thebes), for the offense of cultivating sacred land; refusing to pay, the Phocians instead seized the Temple of Apollo in Delphi, and used the accumulated treasures to fund large mercenary armies.
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The reconstruction map of Delphi, by the Archaeological Guide of Greece
Designed and produced for a convenient and handy use in site and at home, it will assist you to visualize the Sanctuary of Apollo, where theOracle of Delphi was, the Ancient Theater, the Stadion, the Gymnasion of Delphi and the Sanctuary of Athena Pronaia.
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