Italy

Altar of Hieron

Hellenistic monumental altar in Syracuse, Sicily

Location

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Historical Context

About

The Altar of Hieron (Italian: Ara di Ierone) or the Great Altar of Syracuse is a monumental grand altar in the ancient quarter of Neapolis in Syracuse, Sicily. It was built in the Hellenistic period in Magna Graecia by King Hiero II and is the largest altar known from antiquity.

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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Expulsion of Deinomenid tyrant (Eleutheria festival)

466 BCE

Third phase of Greek theatre (dating evidence for altar)

after 235 BCE

Votive deposits in grotto

Archaic and Classical periods

Quarrying for Ortygia fortifications

early 1400s

Amateur excavations

1780, 1813, 1839

Systematic excavations by Koldewey and Puchstein

1893

Classification

Archaeological Features

Unique architectural and cultural elements found at this historical site

category

Water Management Features

Cisterns
category

Public and Civic Structures

PlazasTheatresStoas
category

Religious and Ritual Structures

AltarsTemples
category

Artistic and Decorative Features

ReliefsStatuesArchitectural Sculpture
category

Environmental and Natural Features

Modified CavesSacred Groves
Knowledge Base

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Reference

Details

Country

Italy

Coordinates

37.06° N, 15.29° E