Aspetti del sacro a Segesta tra l'età arcaica e la prima età classica

Abstract

The study considers some aspects of the sacred of Segesta in the Archaic and Classical periods, linked to socio-cultural practices of ideological value, through the analysis of two archaeological contexts: the sanctuary of Contrada Mango and the sacred area on the North Acropolis, documented by some categories of objects recovered in the so-called huge deposit of Grotta Vanella, consisting of material dumped from the summit of Monte Barbaro. The partial excavations and incomplete data published for the sanctuary of Contrada Mango necessitates particular caution in the interpretation of the few elements known. However, one can hypothesize a connection of the cult with water as the sanctuary is near the Scamander/Gaggera River; moreover, the topographical location of sacred area suggests a role as a meeting point between the ‘city’ and the territory where rituals took place that included dedications of weapons, probably associated with the local warrior aristocracy. Regarding the sanctuary on the Acropolis, we can assume that it played an aggregative function by constituing a place where objects of prestige were consume and displayed in a context of competition, contact, exchange and alliance with neighboring political communities (Greek and non-Greek).