THE ROLE OF URBAN TOPOGRAPHY IN THE ORIENTATION OF GREEK TEMPLES: THE CASES OF AKRAGAS AND SELINUNTE

Authors

  • Robert Hannah Faculty of Arts & Social Sciences, University of Waikato, New Zealand
  • Giulio Magli School of Civil Architecture, Politecnico di Milano, Italy
  • Andrea Orlando Catania Astrophysical Observatory (INAF), Italy National South Laboratory (INFN), Italy Istitute of Sicilian Archaeoastronomy, Italy

Keywords:

Greek temples, Akragas, Selinunte, Monte Kronio, Rocca Nadore, Valley of the Temples, ur- ban topography, ancient Sicily

Abstract

It is well known that the vast majority of the Greek temples of Sicily are oriented to the rising sun. However the factors which influenced the specific orientation of each temple or of each group of temples can be of var- ious nature and no general key is actually applicable. In particular, we show here the role of local topogra- phy in orientation, trough two relevant case-studies: the temples of the urban sector of the Valley of the Temples, Akragas, and the temples of Selinunte.

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Published

2023-07-28

Issue

Vol. 16 No. 4 (2016)

Section

Articles