| Collection: | Corinth | |
| Type: | Monument | |
| Name: | Sacred Spring | |
| Alias: | Old Spring. Old fountain. | |
| Description: | The Sacred Spring was a sanctuary rather than a public water source. The Sacred Spring complex has a long history lasting from the early 8th century B.C into the Hellenistic period with several phases of extensive remodelling. The original simple springhouse was embellished with interconnecting architectural features in the late 6th century B.C. On the lower level it consists of an underground spring house with interior supports and a three column facade. As the ground level rose, the facade was closed off and the spring was accessed by a staircase. In front of the spring was an extensive open area containing an earth altar and wooden bleachers for seating. This lower stage was separated from the area to the west by a triglyph and metope wall. The upper area contained a small apsidal building. For the viewer below, this building, with its three column facade, made a visual link with the fountain below. A water channel and a crawl space physically linked the apsidal building to the lower area by a secret door in the triglyph and metope wall. The space was probably used for processions, sacrifices, drama performances, music and dance. One school of thought connects the spring the apsidal building and the Temple of Apollo above with an oracular cult. More recently it has been suggested that Kotyto, one of the four daughters of Timandros burnt by the Dorians in the Temple of Athena, was commemorated here. Her festival involved young men dressed as women dancing to orgiastic music. One component of the rite was immersion or initiation in water. At the far west end of the triglyph wall is a statue base inscribed “Lysippus epoiesen” or “Lysippus made it”. Lysippus was a sculptor from the neighboring city of Sikyon whose work earned him world-wide fame in the Hellenistic and Roman periods. | |
| Site: | Corinth | |
| City: | Ancient Corinth | |
| Country: | Greece | |
| References: | Plans and Drawings (58) Images (161) Objects (18) Notebook: 417 Notebook: 474 |
|
Show Monument (1) Classifications Sign in Provide feedback |
|
