The sanctuary of Dionysus, probably also of the Nymphs, was founded by the Aphytians in Kallithea around the end of the 8th century, in a place favored by nature, with springs, lush vegetation and a cave. The inhabitants founded a sanctuary of Zeus Ammon northeast of the sanctuary of Dionysus in the first half of the 4th century BC and a fountain structure was built in the area, so that water could be transported to the sanctuary – due to the god’s inextricable link with water –. In the 2nd century AD, when the sanctuary flourished, stands and a small altar were built in order to accommodate spectators attending ritual practices.
The sanctuary of Dionysus and Zeus Ammon is located in a verdant area on the beach of Kallithea. It was founded by the Aphytians in a place favored by nature, with springs, lush vegetation and a cave.
Research excavation that commenced in 1969 and continued in recent years, brought to light the sanctuary of Dionysus, probably also of the Nymphs, in the area of the cave and the springs, the temple of Zeus Ammon and two parallel rows of pedestals to the east, as well as the Roman bath associated with the worship of Asclepius.
The site of the sanctuary of Zeus Ammon was used for the first time in the Early Bronze Age, as evidenced by the few finds, mainly pottery found scattered throughout the sanctuary. The construction of an edifice related to the worship of Zeus Ammon commenced in the first half of the 4th century BC. Its construction was not completed and in the second half of the 4th century BC parts of the foundation of this first edifice was used in the construction of monumental bases.
A Doric peripteral temple with a pronaos and a cella was built in the second half of the 4th century BC. To the east of the temple, two parallel rows of monumental bases were built, where sculptures would have been placed, which are not preserved. The bases formed an open-air corridor that served as a ritual procession route to honor the god, a feature attesting to the Egyptian origin of the god.
The worship of Zeus Ammon was associated with water. For this reason, there was a small cistern made of stone plinths in front of the eastern door of the temple. Spring water would be channeled through a clay pipe leading to the sanctuary of Dionysus.
The sanctuary experienced great prosperity in the 2nd century AD: two stands and a small altar were built outside the eastern door of the temple to accommodate spectators attending the ritual practices. At the beginning of the 4th century AD the sanctuary was abandoned and destroyed. The bath was used until the middle or perhaps the end of the century; at that time or shortly thereafter, a watermill was built near the cave. Later on, the territory became a dependency (metochion) of the Panteleimon Monastery of Mount Athos.
The sanctuary of Zeus Ammon in the land of ancient Aphytis is the only excavated sanctuary in Greece dedicated to this god and the only one that provides us with evidence of his worship. The worship of the god originated at Siwa oasis. Zeus, through his association with the Egyptian god Amun, is depicted as a ram or a ram-headed man – or simply featuring ram-like horns.
The worship of Zeus Ammon was assimilated by Dorian colonists who had founded the colony of Cyrene and it was then spread throughout Greece. Temples of the god were built in Thebes, Sparta, Gytheio, and Piraeus.
Visitors can follow the designated routes, the aforementioned antiquities and walk around the entire site of the sanctuary while enjoying the beauty of nature, which prompted the ancient Greeks to choose this location as a place of worship for their gods.
Βιβλιογραφία
Ε. Βουτυράς, Το ιερόν του Διονύσου στην Άφυτη, στο Π. Αδάμ-Βελένη (επιμ.), Μύρτος. Μελέτες στη μνήμη Ιουλίας Βοκοτοπούλου, Θεσσαλονίκη 2000, 631-640.
E.B. Tsigarida, The sanctuary of Zeus Ammon at Kallithea (Chalcidice), Kernos 24, 2011,165-182.
Ε. Τσιγαρίδα, Ιερό Άμμωνος Διός, στο Α. Βλαχόπουλος – Δ. Τσιαφάκη (επιμ.), Αρχαιολογία. Μακεδονία και Θράκη (εκδόσεις Μέλισσα) Αθήνα 2017, 372-373.
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