Greece

Necromanteion of Acheron

Greek necromancy temple site, Epirus (Greece)

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Historical Context

About

The Nekromanteion (Greek: Νεκρομαντεῖον) was an ancient Greek temple of necromancy devoted to Hades and Persephone. According to tradition, it was located on the banks of the Acheron river in Epirus, near the ancient city of Ephyra. This site was believed by devotees to be the door to Hades, the realm of the dead. The site is at the meeting point of the Acheron, Pyriphlegethon and Cocytus rivers, believed to flow through and water the kingdom of Hades. The meaning of the names of the rivers has been interpreted to be "joyless", "burning coals" and "lament", respectively. A site in Mesopotamos, Epirus was proposed as the site of the Necromanteion in 1958, but this identification is now questioned.

Paleolithic
Mesolithic
Neolithic
Chalcolithic
Bronze Age
Iron Age
Classical Period
Post-Classical Period
Early Modern Period
Industrial Period
Contemporary Period
Temporal Epochs

Historical Timeline

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Periander's legates

6th century BCE

Ruins dated no earlier than

later 4th century BCE

Final destruction by Romans

167 BC

Discovery and excavations

1958

Classification

Archaeological Features

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Military Installations

Siege EquipmentWeapons Depots
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Miscellaneous Features

Underground Tunnels
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Religious and Ritual Structures

TemplesAltars
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Domestic and Habitation Structures

Houses
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Reference

Details

Country

Greece

Coordinates

39.24° N, 20.53° E