Installazioni idrauliche nell’area sacra a Sud del tempio di Zeus Olympios ad Agrigento

Abstract

This paper will test the relationship between water and cult in the southern part of the sanctuary of Zeus Olympios at Agrigento. The most singular feature of this area is a monumental pool, besides some cisterns, buildings and a small oikos temple. The sacred area was investigated during the 20th century by E. Gabrici and E. De Miro and was referred to a chthonian cult, without deepening the features and modalities of ritual activities. Besides, it was not considered at all as a part of the sanctuary of Zeus, depending on the late chronology assigned to the main buildings. After having defined the character of the context through an analysis of the architectural remains, the votive and ritual objects, and the imagery, we can now better understand the cult and the role of the hydraulic installations. Several elements, as a matter of fact, suggest that the pool was used for purification rituals relating to women and the cisterns were connected with a complex of banquet halls. All the structures belong to the great 5th century architectural phase of the sanctuary. Moreover, the typology of the cisterns (which were supplied by the pool itself) matches the current Early Classical types, as the new survey of the hydraulic structures of Akragas by G.L. Furcas will demonstrate, suggesting a link between such monumental artifacts and the “Theronian” water system of the town.