Sacred Geography of the Ancient Greeks: Astrological Symbolism in Art, Architecture, and Landscape (SUNY series in Western Esoteric Traditions)

This book provides proof of the existence and explains the significance of planned alignments between classical temples and oracle sites over a wide range of territory, pointing to an astrological system of planning in the ancient world. This system of symbolism may be used predictively and is supported by all relevant artifacts. Here is a unifying approach to the study of geomancy in the ancient world as a whole. Richer has found a network of significant geographic alignments, associated with the pathways of various legendary figures and gods, that are geomantic keys to many legends and texts. One of these texts is Plato’s Laws in which Plato describes the layout of the ideal city. Richer found Plato’s ideal city repeated around the most important oracular centers on ancient Greece. He shows how Plato’s description was a later codification of a much earlier practice of dividing geography into twelve regions under the patronage of the gods of the zodiac. Several such twelve-part divisions of the Greek Territories are presented here. SACRED GEOGRAPHY OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS 4 Contents 6 Maps 12 Foreword 22 Translator's Preface 28 Preface 32 1. Theory of Alignments 44 1. Delphi: Apollo and Athena 44 2. The Meridian of Delphi: Tempe-Delphi-Sparta-Cape Taenarum 45 3. Bassae, Tegea, Corinth 46 4. From Crete to Hyperborea 47 5. Leucas 48 6. The Four Temples of Hermione 49 7. The Oracle of Ptoon 51 8. The Apparently "Abnormal" Orientations of Temples: Bassae, Delos 52 2. Interpretation of the Alignments: The Zodiacal Wheel Centeredon Delphi. A Text of Plato's 54 1. Cephallenia or Aries 55 2. "Cow-eyed" Hera. Olympia 56 3. Gemini and Sparta 56 4. Cancer and the Moon 58 5. Leo, the Solar Sign 59 6. Athens, Delos and the Sign of Virgo 60 7 . Libra, Harmonia, and Thebes 61 8. Scorpio or the Eagle 62 10. Capricorn and Hyperborea 63 11. Aquarius 64 12. Pisces. Cassiopeia 65 13. A TEXT OF PLATO'S 66 3. The System Centered on Delos 72 1. The Zodiacal Division 72 2. The Signs 73 3. Delphi and Delos 79 4. Delphi and Sardis 79 4. An Anatolian System Centered on Sardis 82 1. The Omphalos of Sardis 82 2. The Zodiacal Wheel Centered on Sardis: the Signs 83 3. The Three Zodiacal Wheels of the Aegean 90 5. The Constellations, Return to Delphi: Demeter, Artemis, and Athena 96 1. Ursa Major: Artemis, Brauron 96 2. Ursa Minor 99 3. Return to Delphi: the Agrenon 99 4. Demeter-Gemeter 101 5. Artemis 103 6. Brauron, Ephesus, and the Cave of the Bear 104 7. Athena 104 6. The World Axis and the Planetary Lines: Symbols of the Pole 106 1. The Gateways of the Solstices 106 2. The Descent of Souls: from Taenarum to Delphi 107 3. The Ascent of Souls: from Delphi to Olympus 108 4. World Axes and P1anetary Lines in the Systems of Delos and Sardis 109 5. The Nonzodiacal Constellations and Symbols of the Pole 112 6. The Boar, Symbol of the Pole; the Oath on the Boar 112 7. The Zodiacal Division of Attica and the Mysteries: Agrae and Eleusis 116 1. The Zodiacal Division 116 2. The Mysteries: Agrae and Eleusis 120 3. An Unusual Monument 121 8. Zodiacal Wheels as Keys to Decoding The Gods and the Zodiac 122 1. The Homeric Hymn to Hermes 122 2. Hennes and Athens: the Charites; Cephalus 124 3. The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite 126 4. Hephaestus. Scorpio. The Journey of Sacrifices. The Sacrifices. Sexual Magic 127 5. Poseidon, the Horse-god, and the Sign of Gemini 131 9. The Cult of Zeus. Sardis, Delphi, and the Oasis of Siwa: A System Centered on Ammoneion 134 1. Sites of the Cult of Zeus 134 2. The Sardis-Delphi-Ammoneion Triangle 135 3. Myths and Monuments Confirming the Existence of This System 136 4. The Legend of Ammon and the Ritual of the Oracle 138 10. The Calendars of Heracles: Guardians of the Signs 140 1. Heracles and the Peloponnese: the System Centered on Phlius 141 2. The Ancient Guardians of the Zodiac ("Hesiodic Guardians") 144 3. Heracles and Omphale 144 4. A More General System. The Directions of Space 146 5. Vestiges of an Earlier Zodiac in the Legend of Heracles; the Sign ofthe Boar 147 6. Heracles and Apollo 148 11. The Astral Significance of Greek Myths and Heroes 152 1. Myths and Rites of the Spring Equinox 152 2. Castor and Pollux 155 3. Helen and Cancer 156 4. The Cancer-Capricorn Axis: Zeus and Typhon 156 5. Orion and the Taunls-Scorpio Axis 156 6 . Cadmus and Hannonia o r Scorpio and Libra 157 7. Perseus, Solar Hero and Champion of Athena 159 8. Bellerophon, Corinth and Lycia 160 9. The Heroic Deeds or Theseus (Map 6) 162 10. The Heroes of Sagittarius 166 Conclusions 167 12. The Revelation of the Lion of Julis 168 1. The Lion of Julis 168 2. The Coins of Kea, the Dog and the Dog-days, the Bull 172 3. The Alpheus or Taurus, the Elaphe 172 4. Aristaeus 173 5. A Significant Rectangle 174 6. A Rectangle Centered on Sardis 175 13. Fixed Symbols of the Signs, Directions, and Seasons. The Loves of Zeus 176 1. The Fixed Symbols of the Directions of Space: the Cycles of Four Animals 176 2. The Loves of Zeus 187 14. Double Symbols. Syncretic Forms. Fighting Animals, Dynamic Symbols of Seasonal Variations. The Calendar of Xanthus 188 1. Double Symbols 188 2. A Syncretic Form: the Hippalectryon 189 3. Other Syncretic Fonns 191 4. Associations of Zodiacal Symbols 192 5. Dynamic Symbols of Seasonal Variations 192 6. The Calendar of the Acropolis of Xanthus 198 15. Shield Devices. The Common Origins of Blazons and Monetary Symbols. The Complementarity of Opposites. Plaques from Delphi. Study of Vases 202 1. Shield Devices 202 2. The Complementarity of Opposites. The Lesson of the Vases 204 3. Symbolic Scenes Showing Zodiacal Oppositions: Plaques Found at Delphi 206 4. Zodiacal. Aspects on Vases. Principles of Interpretation. Oppositions and Squares 209 5. The Vases of Exekias 211 6. Images of the Solstices and the Equinoxes on Vases 219 7. A Corinthian Aryballus of Astrological Design 220 8. Symbolic Formulas 225 16. The Horoscopic Meaning of the Armlets of Shields 228 17. Greek Temples: Sculpted Pediments and Zodiacal Geography: The Structure of Sanctuaries 240 1. Corfu and Athens 241 2. Temples or the Delphic System 246 3. Delphi: the Pediments of the Temple of the Alcmaeonidae 248 4. Delos: the Pediments of the Temple of the Athenians 252 5. The Pediment of the Hydra at Athens 252 6. Temples in the Phlius System: Tegea and Calydon 253 7. Bassae 253 8. Olympia 255 9. The Temple of Hera at Samothrace: the Structure of the Sanctuary and the Pediment; Victory and the Ship 259 18. Greek Temples of Asia MinorThe Decor of the Temple of Assosin the Troad 268 1. Didyma and Bassae 268 2. The Decor of the Temple of Assos in the Troad 270 3. Conclusions 277 4. Symbolic Formulas 279 19. The Delphic Oracle and Colonization. Animal Guides. The Trojan Horse 282 1. The Oracle and Significant Alignments 282 2. Animal Guides 284 3. The Trojan Horse 286 20. Zodiacal Imagery at Mycenae. The Great Uranian Goddess. The Inquiry Continues 288 1. Zodiacal Imagery at Mycenae 288 2. The Great Goddess 293 3. The Handles of Hydrias 296 4. The Inquiry Continues 297 Abbreviations 302 Notes 304 FOREWARD 304 PREFACE 305 CHAPTER 1 305 CHAPTER 2 308 CHAPTER 3 312 CHAPTER 4 314 CHAPTER 5 316 CHAPTER 6 319 CHAPTER 7 321 CHAPTER 8 322 CHAPTER 9 326 CHAPTER 10 327 CHAPTER 11 328 CHAPTER 12 330 CHAPTER 13 331 CHAPTER 14 333 CHAPTER 15 335 CHAPTER 16 337 CHAPTER 17 337 CHAPTER 18 339 CHAPTER 19 340 CHAPTER 20 342 Index 344 SACRED GEOGRAPHY OF THE ANCIENT GREEKS......Page 4 Contents......Page 6 Maps......Page 12 Foreword......Page 22 Translator’s Preface......Page 28 Preface......Page 32 1. Delphi: Apollo and Athena......Page 44 2. The Meridian of Delphi: Tempe-Delphi-Sparta-Cape Taenarum......Page 45 3. Bassae, Tegea, Corinth......Page 46 4. From Crete to Hyperborea......Page 47 5. Leucas......Page 48 6. The Four Temples of Hermione......Page 49 7. The Oracle of Ptoon......Page 51 8. The Apparently "Abnormal" Orientations of Temples: Bassae, Delos......Page 52 2. Interpretation of the Alignments: The Zodiacal Wheel Centeredon Delphi. A Text of Plato’s......Page 54 1. Cephallenia or Aries......Page 55 3. Gemini and Sparta......Page 56 4. Cancer and the Moon......Page 58 5. Leo, the Solar Sign......Page 59 6. Athens, Delos and the Sign of Virgo......Page 60 7 . Libra, Harmonia, and Thebes......Page 61 8. Scorpio or the Eagle......Page 62 10. Capricorn and Hyperborea......Page 63 11. Aquarius......Page 64 12. Pisces. Cassiopeia......Page 65 13. A TEXT OF PLATO’S......Page 66 1. The Zodiacal Division......Page 72 2. The Signs......Page 73 4. Delphi and Sardis......Page 79 1. The Omphalos of Sardis......Page 82 2. The Zodiacal Wheel Centered on Sardis: the Signs......Page 83 3. The Three Zodiacal Wheels of the Aegean......Page 90 1. Ursa Major: Artemis, Brauron......Page 96 3. Return to Delphi: the Agrenon......Page 99 4. Demeter-Gemeter......Page 101 5. Artemis......Page 103 7. Athena......Page 104 1. The Gateways of the Solstices......Page 106 2. The Descent of Souls: from Taenarum to Delphi......Page 107 3. The Ascent of Souls: from Delphi to Olympus......Page 108 4. World Axes and P1anetary Lines in the Systems of Delos and Sardis......Page 109 6. The Boar, Symbol of the Pole; the Oath on the Boar......Page 112 1. The Zodiacal Division......Page 116 2. The Mysteries: Agrae and Eleusis......Page 120 3. An Unusual Monument......Page 121 1. The Homeric Hymn to Hermes......Page 122 2. Hennes and Athens: the Charites; Cephalus......Page 124 3. The Homeric Hymn to Aphrodite......Page 126 4. Hephaestus. Scorpio. The Journey of Sacrifices. The Sacrifices. Sexual Magic......Page 127 5. Poseidon, the Horse-god, and the Sign of Gemini......Page 131 1. Sites of the Cult of Zeus......Page 134 2. The Sardis-Delphi-Ammoneion Triangle......Page 135 3. Myths and Monuments Confirming the Existence of This System......Page 136 4. The Legend of Ammon and the Ritual of the Oracle......Page 138 10. The Calendars of Heracles: Guardians of the Signs......Page 140 1. Heracles and the Peloponnese: the System Centered on Phlius......Page 141 3. Heracles and Omphale......Page 144 4. A More General System. The Directions of Space......Page 146 5. Vestiges of an Earlier Zodiac in the Legend of Heracles; the Sign ofthe Boar......Page 147 6. Heracles and Apollo......Page 148 1. Myths and Rites of the Spring Equinox......Page 152 2. Castor and Pollux......Page 155 5. Orion and the Taunls-Scorpio Axis......Page 156 6 . Cadmus and Hannonia o r Scorpio and Libra......Page 157 7. Perseus, Solar Hero and Champion of Athena......Page 159 8. Bellerophon, Corinth and Lycia......Page 160 9. The Heroic Deeds or Theseus (Map 6)......Page 162 10. The Heroes of Sagittarius......Page 166 Conclusions......Page 167 1. The Lion of Julis......Page 168 3. The Alpheus or Taurus, the Elaphe......Page 172 4. Aristaeus......Page 173 5. A Significant Rectangle......Page 174 6. A Rectangle Centered on Sardis......Page 175 1. The Fixed Symbols of the Directions of Space: the Cycles of Four Animals......Page 176 2. The Loves of Zeus......Page 187 1. Double Symbols......Page 188 2. A Syncretic Form: the Hippalectryon......Page 189 3. Other Syncretic Fonns......Page 191 5. Dynamic Symbols of Seasonal Variations......Page 192 6. The Calendar of the Acropolis of Xanthus......Page 198 1. Shield Devices......Page 202 2. The Complementarity of Opposites. The Lesson of the Vases......Page 204 3. Symbolic Scenes Showing Zodiacal Oppositions: Plaques Found at Delphi......Page 206 4. Zodiacal. Aspects on Vases. Principles of Interpretation. Oppositions and Squares......Page 209 5. The Vases of Exekias......Page 211 6. Images of the Solstices and the Equinoxes on Vases......Page 219 7. A Corinthian Aryballus of Astrological Design......Page 220 8. Symbolic Formulas......Page 225 16. The Horoscopic Meaning of the Armlets of Shields......Page 228 17. Greek Temples: Sculpted Pediments and Zodiacal Geography: The Structure of Sanctuaries......Page 240 1. Corfu and Athens......Page 241 2. Temples or the Delphic System......Page 246 3. Delphi: the Pediments of the Temple of the Alcmaeonidae......Page 248 5. The Pediment of the Hydra at Athens......Page 252 7. Bassae......Page 253 8. Olympia......Page 255 9. The Temple of Hera at Samothrace: the Structure of the Sanctuary and the Pediment; Victory and the Ship......Page 259 1. Didyma and Bassae......Page 268 2. The Decor of the Temple of Assos in the Troad......Page 270 3. Conclusions......Page 277 4. Symbolic Formulas......Page 279 1. The Oracle and Significant Alignments......Page 282 2. Animal Guides......Page 284 3. The Trojan Horse......Page 286 1. Zodiacal Imagery at Mycenae......Page 288 2. The Great Goddess......Page 293 3. The Handles of Hydrias......Page 296 4. The Inquiry Continues......Page 297 Abbreviations......Page 302 FOREWARD......Page 304 CHAPTER 1......Page 305 CHAPTER 2......Page 308 CHAPTER 3......Page 312 CHAPTER 4......Page 314 CHAPTER 5......Page 316 CHAPTER 6......Page 319 CHAPTER 7......Page 321 CHAPTER 8......Page 322 CHAPTER 9......Page 326 CHAPTER 10......Page 327 CHAPTER 11......Page 328 CHAPTER 12......Page 330 CHAPTER 13......Page 331 CHAPTER 14......Page 333 CHAPTER 15......Page 335 CHAPTER 17......Page 337 CHAPTER 18......Page 339 CHAPTER 19......Page 340 CHAPTER 20......Page 342 Index......Page 344 This book provides proof of the existence and explains the significance of planned alignments between classical temples and oracle sites over a wide range of territory, pointing to an astrological system of planning in the ancient world. This system of symbolism may be used predictively and is supported by all relevant artifacts. Here is a unifying approach to the study of geomancy in the ancient world as a whole.Richer has found a network of significant geographic alignments, associated with the pathways of various legendary figures and gods, that are geomantic keys to many legends and texts. One of these texts is Plato's Laws in which Plato describes the layout of the ideal city. Richer found Plato's ideal city repeated around the most important oracular centers on ancient Greece. He shows how Plato's description was a later codification of a much earlier practice of dividing geography into twelve regions under the patronage of the gods of the zodiac. Several such twelve-part divisions of the Greek Territories are presented here.Jean Richer is Chevalier des Palmes academiques et des Arts et des Lettres, and he is Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur. His published books include Gerard de Nerval et les Doctrines esoteriques; Delphes, Delos et Cumes; and Iconologie et Tradition.