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{{Short description|Ancient Greek mythological epithet}}
'''Alea''' ([[Greek language|Greek]]: {{polytonic|Ἀλέα}}) was an [[epithet]] of the [[Greek mythology|Greek goddess]] [[Athena]], prominent in [[Arcadia|Arcadian]] mythology, under which she was worshiped at [[Alea, Greece|Alea]], [[Mantineia]] and [[Tegea]].<ref name="DGRBM">{{cite encyclopedia | last = Schmitz | first = Leonhard | authorlink = | title = Alea | editor = [[William Smith (lexicographer)|William Smith]] | encyclopedia = [[Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology]] | volume = 1 | pages = 108-109 | publisher = [[Little, Brown and Company]] | location = Boston | year = 1867 | url = http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/0117.html }}</ref><ref>[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], ''Description of Greece'' viii. 23. § 1, 9. § 3, ii. 17. § 7</ref> Alea was initially an independent goddess, but was eventually assimilated with Athena.<ref name="arcmyth">{{Citation | last = Jost | first = Madeleine | author-link = | contribution = Arcadian cults and myths | editor-last = Hornblower | editor-first = Simon | title = [[Oxford Classical Dictionary]] | volume = | pages = | publisher = [[Oxford University Press]] | place = Oxford | year = 1996 | contribution-url = }}</ref>


[[File:Boiotian proxeny decree with relief of Athena and Dioskouroi (Boston MFA 1987.297).jpg|thumb|[[Boeotian]] [[proxeny]] stele depicting Athena Alea with the [[Dioskouroi]] above a warship, with the infant [[Herakles]] strangling snakes in the [[pediment]] (369–363 BCE]]'''Alea''' ([[Ancient Greek]]: {{lang|grc|Ἀλέα}}) was an [[epithet]] of the [[Greek mythology|Greek goddess]] [[Athena]], prominent in [[Arcadia (ancient region)|Arcadia]]n mythology, under which she was worshiped at [[Alea, Argolis|Alea]], [[Mantineia]] and [[Tegea]].<ref>McInerney, J. (2013), 55.</ref><ref>Pausanias, ''Description of Greece,'' 8.28.1, 9.3, 2.17.7.
The temple of Athena Alea at [[Tegea]], which was the oldest, was said to have been built by [[Aleus]] the son of [[Apheidas]], from whom the goddess probably derived this epithet.<ref>[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], ''Description of Greece'' viii. 4. § 5</ref> This temple was burned down in [[394 BC]], and a new one built by the architect [[Scopas]], a temple of the [[Doric order]] which in size and splendor surpassed all other temples in the [[Peloponnese]], and was surrounded by a triple row of [[column]]s of different [[column#Classical orders|orders]].<ref>Meyer, ''Gesch. der bildend. Künste'' ii. p. 99, &c.</ref> The statue of the goddess, which was made by [[Endoeus]] all of ivory, was subsequently carried to [[Rome]] by [[Augustus]] to adorn the [[Forum of Augustus]].<ref>[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], ''Description of Greece'' viii. 45. § 4, 4 § 1 and 2, 47. § 1</ref> The temple of Athena Alea at Tegea was an ancient and revered asylum, and the names of many persons are recorded who saved themselves by seeking refuge in it.<ref>[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], ''Description of Greece'' iii. § 6, ii. 17. § 7, iii. 7. § 8</ref>


The priestess of Athena Alea at Tegea was always a [[maiden]], who held her office only until she reached the age of [[puberty]].<ref>[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], ''Description of Greece'' viii. 47. § 2</ref>
23. § 1, 9. § 3, ii. 17. § 7</ref> Alea was initially an independent goddess, but was eventually assimilated with Athena.<ref>Jost, M. (2006).</ref> A statue of Athena Alea existed on the road from [[Sparta]] to [[Therapne]].<ref>[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], ''Description of Greece'' 3.19.3, 7</ref> Her most important sanctuary was the famous [[Temple of Athena Alea]] at Tegea.


==Alea (goddess)==
On the road from Sparta to Therapne there was likewise a statue of Athena Alea.<ref>[[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]], ''Description of Greece'' iii. 19. 3 7</ref>
Alea was a local deity in eastern [[Arcadia (region)|Arcadia]], who later became associated with, and an epithet of [[Athena]] as Athena Alea.<ref>Jost, (2006).</ref> Other known cults of Alea, alongside Athena, are also found in other nearby locations, such as Mantinea and in Sparta.<ref>For the Spartan cult see Xenophon ''Hellenica'' 6.5.27, Pausanias ''Description of Greece'' 3.19.7.</ref><ref>For Alea cults in Arcadia see Jost, (1985) 362.</ref> Additionally, a small city-state in eastern Arcadia was also called [[Alea (Arcadia)|Alea]]. Evidence from the Classical period points towards the use of Athena and Alea in conjunction with each other; for example, the fifth century historian [[Herodotus]] mentions the Temple of Alea Athena twice,<ref>Herodotus ''The Histories'' 1.66.3; 9.70.3.</ref> whilst Tegean coins from the fourth century refer to Athena Alea instead. This provides support that the two goddesses were spoken about in conjunction. But, as McInerny highlights, this may be an oversimplification of a complex issue.<ref>McInerney, (2013) 55.</ref> Instead, he proposes to look towards the account of the [[2nd century|second century CE]] geographer [[Pausanias (geographer)|Pausanias]] who provides more details on the issue of the synchronization of the two goddesses.


Pausanias provides two hints to the survival of the goddess Alea in his ''Description of Greece:'' first, when discussing Athena in the Peloponnese, he states that the local practice of calling her Alea has prevailed in Tegea;<ref>Pausanias ''Description of Greece'' 8.47.1.</ref> second, he mentions a local festival called the Aleaia,<ref>Pausanias ''Description of Greece'' 8.47.4.</ref> indicating a festival in the honour of Alea rather than Athena. Therefore, the synchronization between the two goddesses illustrates a process of unifying two important goddess whilst maintaining some local distinctions, rather than an Olympian goddess usurping a local deity.<ref>McInerney, (2013) 60.</ref>
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==External links==
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*[http://www.goddess-athena.org/Museum/Temples/Tegea.htm Temple of Athena Alea at Tegea] at the Athena Museum


==References==
== Hera Alea ==
In addition to the synchronised Athena Alea, we have a literary record of a Hera Alea in the Ancient Greek city-state of [[Sicyon]]. This comes from a scholium to [[Pindar]]' ''Nemean Ode'' 9,<ref>Scholia ad Pindar ''Nemean Ode'' 9.30a.</ref> providing further evidence of Alea's ability to spread to regions near Tegea.
{{reflist|2}}


==Notes==
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{{SmithDGRBM}}
{{Reflist}}


== Bibliography ==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Alea}}
* Head, Barclay. (1897) ''Historia numorum; a manual of Greek numismatics,'' Oxford: Clarendon Press, https://archive.org/details/cu31924029779141/page/380/mode/2up?q=Alea+Athena
* Jost, Madeleine. (1985) ''Sanctuaires et cultes d’Arcadie.'' Paris: J. Vrin, https://cefael.efa.gr/detail.php?site_id=1&actionID=page&serie_id=EtPelop&volume_number=9&x=-1&y=7&ce=46gv12ot8i4qs874d9htgkeip1jech4v&sp=3
* Jost, Madeleine. (2003) "Arcadian Cults and Myths", in Simon Hornblower and Anthony Spawforth. eds. ''Oxfords Classical Dictionary 3rd Edition,'' Oxford: Oxford University Press.
* McInerney, Jeremey. (2013) "The Gods of (Con)Fusion: Athena Alea, Apollo Maleatas and Athena Aphaia", ''Classica et Mediavalia.'' '''64.''' 49–80. https://www.academia.edu/9006607/The_Gods_of_Con_Fusion_Athena_Alea_Apollo_Maleatas_and_Athena_Aphaia


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{{SmithDGRBM|title= Alea}}
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[[Category:Athena]]
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[[Category:Epithets of Greek deities]]
[[Category:Arcadian mythology]]


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==External links==
[[sh:Atena Alea]]
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*[http://www.goddess-athena.org/Museum/Temples/Tegea.htm Temple of Athena Alea at Tegea] at the Athena Museum

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Alea}}
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[[Category:Epithets of Athena]]
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[[Category:Tegea]]
[[Category:Greco-Roman relations in classical antiquity]]

Latest revision as of 20:33, 9 March 2024

Boeotian proxeny stele depicting Athena Alea with the Dioskouroi above a warship, with the infant Herakles strangling snakes in the pediment (369–363 BCE

Alea (Ancient Greek: Ἀλέα) was an epithet of the Greek goddess Athena, prominent in Arcadian mythology, under which she was worshiped at Alea, Mantineia and Tegea.[1][2] Alea was initially an independent goddess, but was eventually assimilated with Athena.[3] A statue of Athena Alea existed on the road from Sparta to Therapne.[4] Her most important sanctuary was the famous Temple of Athena Alea at Tegea.

Alea (goddess)

[edit]

Alea was a local deity in eastern Arcadia, who later became associated with, and an epithet of Athena as Athena Alea.[5] Other known cults of Alea, alongside Athena, are also found in other nearby locations, such as Mantinea and in Sparta.[6][7] Additionally, a small city-state in eastern Arcadia was also called Alea. Evidence from the Classical period points towards the use of Athena and Alea in conjunction with each other; for example, the fifth century historian Herodotus mentions the Temple of Alea Athena twice,[8] whilst Tegean coins from the fourth century refer to Athena Alea instead. This provides support that the two goddesses were spoken about in conjunction. But, as McInerny highlights, this may be an oversimplification of a complex issue.[9] Instead, he proposes to look towards the account of the second century CE geographer Pausanias who provides more details on the issue of the synchronization of the two goddesses.

Pausanias provides two hints to the survival of the goddess Alea in his Description of Greece: first, when discussing Athena in the Peloponnese, he states that the local practice of calling her Alea has prevailed in Tegea;[10] second, he mentions a local festival called the Aleaia,[11] indicating a festival in the honour of Alea rather than Athena. Therefore, the synchronization between the two goddesses illustrates a process of unifying two important goddess whilst maintaining some local distinctions, rather than an Olympian goddess usurping a local deity.[12]

Hera Alea

[edit]

In addition to the synchronised Athena Alea, we have a literary record of a Hera Alea in the Ancient Greek city-state of Sicyon. This comes from a scholium to Pindar' Nemean Ode 9,[13] providing further evidence of Alea's ability to spread to regions near Tegea.

Notes

[edit]
  1. ^ McInerney, J. (2013), 55.
  2. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece, 8.28.1, 9.3, 2.17.7. 23. § 1, 9. § 3, ii. 17. § 7
  3. ^ Jost, M. (2006).
  4. ^ Pausanias, Description of Greece 3.19.3, 7
  5. ^ Jost, (2006).
  6. ^ For the Spartan cult see Xenophon Hellenica 6.5.27, Pausanias Description of Greece 3.19.7.
  7. ^ For Alea cults in Arcadia see Jost, (1985) 362.
  8. ^ Herodotus The Histories 1.66.3; 9.70.3.
  9. ^ McInerney, (2013) 55.
  10. ^ Pausanias Description of Greece 8.47.1.
  11. ^ Pausanias Description of Greece 8.47.4.
  12. ^ McInerney, (2013) 60.
  13. ^ Scholia ad Pindar Nemean Ode 9.30a.

Bibliography

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 This article incorporates text from a publication now in the public domain: Smith, William, ed. (1870). "Alea". Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.

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