The So-called Hekateion – New Findings after over 100 Years

Original title: Das sogenannte Hekateion – Neue Erkenntnisse nach über 100 Jahren

Abstract This article presents the fundamental findings of the new investigation of the so-called Hekateion, a cult precinct in the location of the Street of Tombs. It has been dated to Roman times. The interpretation as a sanctuary of the goddess Hekate, proposed immediately after its discovery in 1890, rests upon a contemporary conception of ancient religion which referred to classical written sources without taking account of their specific context in terms of time and place. For the interpretation as a sanctuary of Hekate, certain finds were ignored or regarded as not belonging to the find assemblage. Reconstruction of the assemblage at the time of its discovery with all information sources considered results in a revised dating to the Hellenistic period and a revised dedication of the sanctuary to the goddess Artemis Soteira.

Keywords Hekate, Artemis Soteira, cult, ancient religion, research history