What question did this study set out to answer?

The article examines the evolution of the Lakedaimonians through significant archaeological sites, focusing on cultural identity and memory.

May 13, 2026Open Access

Places of Belonging: Archaeohistorical Encounters With the Lakedaimonians at the Mycenaean Palace of Aghios Vasileios and the Sanctuary of Apollo at Amykles

Key Points

The article examines the evolution of the Lakedaimonians through significant archaeological sites, focusing on cultural identity and memory.
Analyzed artifacts and architectural features from the Mycenaean palace at Aghios Vasileios and the Sanctuary of Apollo at Amykles.
Explored the historical significance of ritual activities, particularly the Hyakinthia festival, and their impact on Lakedaimonian identity.
Adopted a decentred perspective on the Eurotas corridor to assess spatial and cultural dynamics beyond Sparta.
Demonstrated that the palace served as a focal point for Lakedaimonian community sentiments, fostering a sense of belonging.
Found that cult activity in Amyklai became central to Lakedaimonian identity after the palace's decline, absorbing its historical significance.
Highlighted the continuity of Lakedaimonian traditions and sentiments through the festivals held at Amyklai, even amidst political shifts.

Abstract

This article explores the early history of the Lakedaimonians through the lens of two archaeological sites: the recently discovered Mycenaean palace at Aghios Vasileios near Xirokambi and the Sanctuary of Apollo Amyklaios on the hilltop of Aghia Kyriaki near modern Amykles. From their first appearance in the Linear B record to late Archaic times, the Lakedaimonians were a group that underwent significant changes in size and shape. In this sense, I argue, they were not dissimilar to other Greek ethne. As the seat of the wanax of the Lakedaimonians, the palace near Xirokambi provided the initial focal point of sentiments of togetherness. Seven kilometres to the north, cult activity on the hilltop of Aghia Kyriaki at Amykles overlapped with the history of the palace for about two generations; the two sites were in conversation with one another. With the demise of the palace, Amyklai gradually absorbed the role of a Lakedaimonian memory place, instilling people with a lively sense of belonging. The rise of Sparta deeply altered the picture. Yet Amyklai retained its quality as a prime location of Lakedaimonian legacies. Discussion of the ritual script of its festivals, most notably the Hyakinthia, highlights the long-term sentiments, conditions, and beliefs as they prevailed in the local horizon. In tracing these developments, this article takes a decentred perspective on the Eurotas corridor, beyond prominent focalisation on Sparta. It accentuates the role of place before the backdrop of omnipresent spatial dynamics and diachronic change.

Ask AI

Mark Helpful

Bookmark

Relay

View Full Paper